F 129 
.C668 
F54 
1916 
Copy 1 



HISTORY I 

of I 

Cohocton 




1905 



R 



HISTORY 

of 

Cohocton, New York 




Prepared by 
Wii<LiAM A. Field, President and J. Leonard Waugh, Secretary 
M 

the other 

Members of the History Committee were F. W. Snyder, 

M. F. WeIvD and N. J. Wagner 



AND read by 

J. Leonard Waugh at the Centenniai, Celebration 
OF Cohocton, New York, in 1905 



PRESS OF TIMES-INDEX 
1916 



1/ •■ 1 






90-16^^^^ 



History of Cohocton 



The following history was pre- 
pared by the late William A. Field 
and J. Leonard Waugh, and was 
read by J. Leonard Waugh at the 
100th anniversary ot the settle- 
ment of Cohocton, which celebra- 
tion was held in 1905; 

PHELPS AND GORHAM PUR- 
CHASE 

The freeholders of Steuben 
county generally derive their title 
from Sir William Pulteney of Eng- 
land and his heirs: 

He acquired his title from Rob- 
ert Morris — Morris from Phelps 
and Gorham. They from the state 
of Massachusetts and that state 
held under the Royal Charter of 
James I, King of Great Britain. 

Now I do not know how he got 
it unless in a legal term he "cas- 
ually found iit" — but as his reign 
was in 160 3-1625 there are prob- 
ably no disputants living. 

On the 21st day of November, 
1788, the state of Massachusetts 
for the consideration of three 
hundred thousand pounds in the 
consolidated securities of that state 
actually worth then about 50 cents 
on a dollar, conveyed to Oliver 
Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham all 
its right, title and interest to lands 
in western New York, which now 
constitute the counties of Steuben, 
Yates, Ontario, part of Wayne, a 
small part of Genesee and Living- 
ston and about one-half of Alle- 
gany. 

But there was more: There were 
the Indians to deal with: The Mo- 
hawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, 
and Seneca tribes were bound to- 
gether in a confederacy or Warfare 
League, called by themselves, "The 
Mingoes or United People." 



Oliver Phelps visited the Sene- 
cas and after several day's parley 
at Buffalo Creek, succeeded is pur- 
chasing two milliion six hundred 
thousand acres (2,600,000), for 
which he was to pay $500 annual- 
ly thereafter. I do not find that 
the $500 is still paid, but rather 
think it has gone the way of many 
other white men and Indian deal- 
ings or was settled in the treaty 
soon after made. 

The deed is as follows: Begin-* 
ning on the boundary line of the 
state of Pennsylvania in parallel 
42 degrees at a point S2 miles west 
from the north corner of Pennsyl- 
vania on the Delaware river as said 
line has been run and marked by 
the Commijssioners of New York 
and Pennsylvania, and from said 
point or place of beginning running 
west as said line to a meridian 
which will pass through that cor- 
ner or point of land and by the 
confluence of the Kanahasguicon 
(Canaseraga) Creek with the wa- 
ters of the Genesee river, thence 
north along said meridian to the 
corner or point last mentioned; 
thence northward along the waters 
of the said Genesee to a point two 
miles north of Canaseraga village, 
as called. , Thence running in a 
direction due west twelve (12) 
miles; thence in a dirction north- 
westerly so as to be twelve (12) 
miles distant from the north- 
westerly bounds of said Genesee 
river to the shore of Ontario Lake; 
thence east-wardly along the 
shores of said lake to the meridian 
which will pass through the first 
point or place of beginning afore 
mentioned; thence south along srjid 
meridian to the first point or place 



of begiuing afore mentiouovl. 

Tils deed is signed by liftj-uine 
(59) chiefs and warri-n vs as fol- 
lows: Three Moha\vic.=. thrt'c 
Oneidas, eight O-nondagas, tvveu- 
ty-two Senecas, and by sev^en 
Squaws or Governesses, for the 
Indians respected a dower right of 
their wives in their real estate. And 
it is attested by the signature of 
John Hancock, the Governor of 
Massachusetts, and signer of the 
Declp-ration of Independence. By 
the terms of this deed the town of 
Cohocton became the property of 
*he Phelps and Gorham Company. 
Being unable to deal further with 
the Indians the balance of the 
original bargain was surrendered 
back to the state of Massachusetts, 
which it is said, relies ed them of 
two-thirds of the. contract price 
and what they actually became 
possessed of cost them aside from 
the annuity about four cents per 
acre. 

Messrs. Phelps and Gorham by 
deed dated the 18th of November, 
1790, conveyed to Robert Morris 
of Philadelphia the residue of 
their lands unsold, about a million 
and a quarter acres. Robert Morris, 
on the 11th day of April, 1792, 
conveyed to Charles Williamson 
two hundred thousand acres. Mr. 
Williamon held the estate in sacred 
trust for Sir William Pulteney, an 
English Baronet and others. In 
March 1801, Mr. Williamson con- 
veyed the estate formally to Sir 
William Pulteney. 

Cohocton stands in the northern 
part of Steuben county, and at first 
extended from near the Dansville 
line down to a line between W. H. 
Cotton's and Thomas Cotton's 
farm above Avoca. 

A part of Avoca was taken off in 



184 3. Part of Way land in 1848. In 
1874, we got a strip from Pratts- 
burg. 

From the best authority Con- 
hjocton meau^si — "Log acroea the 
river — or as generally accepted — 
"Crossing river on a log". What 
effect the dropping of the "N" in 
first syllable — I leave you to guess. 
The name originally commenced 
with a "K" — Konhocton. 

As at present constituted it has 
3 4,600 acres and ranks fourth in 
size — Bath, Troupsburg and How- 
a,rd exceeding it in aci'eage. 

As to assessed value total of 
personal and real in 1904 report, 
had it accordiing to assesisor's 
valuation, $1,599,552 ranking 5th. 
Horncllsville city, Corning city, 
Bath and Urbana ranking it in 
wealth. 

Could we have stood upon some 
massive hill or an exceedingly high 
mountain, as a writer has said — ■ 
Look over as far as the eye can 
reach : 

"It is a vast solitude — What a 
noble forest is this? — Covering 
the valleys and its high rounded 
hills, the steep sides of the wind- 
ing gulleys and the crests of the 
successive ranges that rise above 
each other until the outline of blue 
and curving barrier is traced 
against the sky." 

For ages upon ages has this 
land been a wilderness. Savages 
have hunted itt. Winter's storms 
and summer's heat have passed 
over it. Bears set growling in the 
windows of their hollow trees. Cat- 
amounts lurk in the glens. Pan- 
thers crouch under yon sturdy tree. 
Deer, browse in the thickets or 
stand stamping in the stream and 
myriads of smaller animals and in- 
sects dance and play all the day. 



The valleys of the Couhocton and 
Canisteo were of old, one of the 
best hunting grounds belonging to 
the six nations. The destruction of 
the forest has caused the gradual 
drying up of many of these streams 
and weakening of others. 

In the early days the Conhoc- 
ton was navigable from its mouth 
to the 22 mile tree (Atlanta or 
more definitely Wm. Rowe's farm 
above), a large portion of the 
year and many a raft of lumber 
and graiffi has gone down to the 
Chespeake. Freshets can be had on 
shorter notice but they are of short 
duration. Even in our day people 
have been known to paddle their 
own can,oe in the streets of Painted 
Post. I remember about 1890, a 
citizen of that place saying to me: 
"I had always wanted a piano, but 
when we had been forced up stairs 
by water and upon rising in the 
morning and going down stairs I 
siaw my melodeon floating around 
in the parlor I concluded a jews- 
harp would do for me." 

But this land must be con- 
quered. Its ancient tenants did not 
yield it without a struggle. A long 
battle fought inch by inch with fire 
and steel. Dumb and obstinate* 
these hills were stripped of their 
rainment. They were burned. They 
were flayed. They were torn with 
plow and harrow. Today we stand 
in possession of this noble heri- 
tage and are gathered here to re- 
call the history of those who set 
the march of Steuben or more 
limited the civilization of the town 
of Cohocton in progress. 
PIONEERS 

From the best information ob- 
triinable Richard Hooker, about 
1791, a Southern planter at the 
time, near Baltimore, quite a 



wealth;y man, and owner of slaves, 
and of 900 acres of land, before 
leiaving he having become a mem- 
ber of the Society of Friends or 
Quakers as they were commonly 
called, became convinced in his 
own mind that it was not right to 
keep slaves, gave all he had (re- 
port says 100), their freedom 
and choice to remain in Maryland 
or migrate with him to the north- 
ern country — all but two decided 
to remain. 

He set out equipped with two 
as good four horsie teams as could 
be found, with his wife, four sons 
and seven daughters and a colored 
man and womjan. 

Thomas Hooker, one of the sons, 
and who was five years old at the 
time, and who died in Naples in 
1879, relates that his father had at 
the time of leaving one-half bushel 
of gold and silver and expected to 
buy forage. 

Richard Hooker's destination 
was to strike the Genesee river at 
General Wadswprth's. settlement 
near Geneseo. Cold weather coming 
on, horsess jaded and poor, for 
lack of forage not purchasable; 
wife i.nd children tired and home- 
sick, roads non est. How far from 
his destination he did not know, as 
he had no way of knowing in the 
wlLdernes, he decided to go into 
quarters for the winter. He built 
the first log house on the present 
Wing (Waite) farm, with no 
neighbors nearer that he knew 
of than Painted Post or Bath, ex- 
cept Indians. Thomas Hooker says 
there was no white child at that 
time for him to play with and that 
his only outside companion was 
an Indian child. 

SpriJng Game on, four of his 
horses had died of starvation. His 



money could not buy forage, for 
there was none to buy. The remain- 
ing four horses so weak and feeble 
from almost starvation, he de- 
cided to remain and Cohocton rei- 
ceived its first settler. 

These words came to me by 
words left with David S. Waits by 
his son, Thomas Hooker. 

A sad part of the Hooker history 
seems necessary. The eldest sou 
was left behind in Baltimore, 
where he was studp^ing law. There 
was considerable still due from the 
plantation, and it was understood 
that when it was paid young 
Hooker was to take it and bring it 
north. But instead he lost it all by 
gambling, thus beggaring his par- 
ents and blighting their hopes. 
The father struggled along for a 
few years then sank into an early 
grave, dying February 10, 1801, 
aged 71, and was buried on Naples 
hill. He was not oniy the first 
settler but the first white man who 
died in the town. 

Selling out to James Woodard, 
hi,s wife Rachel Conley Hooker, 
moved to Naples where she died 
July 23, 1809. 

Pioneers! Thou art remember- 
ed though thy lives ended in a 
cloud. 

Joseph Bliven was sent in 179 4, 
by the agent of the Pulteney Land 
Office, Charles Williamson, to build 
a house to be used as a tavern for 
the accommodation of settlers and 
whatever tradei*s there luight be, at 
the 22 mile tree, near the present 
William Rowe's farm. Some years 
after in 179 8, he was married to 
Sarah Hooker, one of the daugh- 
ters of Richard Hooker. This was 
Cohocton's first marriage, and 
their daughter, Bethuel Hooker, 



born in 1800, was the first white 
child born in town. 

About the time of Bliven's mar- 
riage he sold out at the 22 mile 
tree and built a double log house 
at the corner of what is now the 
Naples and Wayland street at 
North Cohocton, opposite what is 
now the North Cohocton Hotel. 
This was sold to a Mr. Havens, who 
in 1815, sold it to Samuel Hart- 
well. 

James Woodard, born in Ver- 
mont, car.ie into the town in 1802, 
and bought the Hooker, (Wing) 
farm. His son, James Woodard, 
Jr., was married M!ay 10, 1807, to 
Elizabeth Hooker, another of 
Richard Hooker's daughters, and 
settled on what is known as the 
Moulton farm near the present 
farm of their son, the late Ephri- 
am Woodard. 

Aruna Woodard, another son of 
the original James Woodard, set- 
tled on the present David S. Waite 
homestead, and kept a tavern call- 
ed the Half Way House between 
Bath and Dansville. From a de- 
scription left the building was an 
L-shaped log house, log barn and 
frame lean-to shed. 

This location is about two miles 
south of the great water divide be- 
tween Lake Ontario on the north 
doa Chesapeake Bay on the south. 

There was no nearer way to 
travel between Bath and Dansville, 
and the shaded rough and muddy 
log paths — no state roads — made 
travel so difficult that the journey 
culd not be made in one day. Said 
tavern shed and sign post are pre- 
served until this day en the D. S. 
Waite farm. 

Duty Waite, born in Rhode 
Island in 1785, came to this town 
in 1814, and acquired the proper- 



ty. He soon turned the Aruna 
Woodard tavern — one part into a 
pioneer dwelling and the other into 
a neighborhood school house, sup- 
ported by subscriptions, while he 
taught, no school districts having 
as yet been designated. 

Permit me further to say of 
Duty Waite, that I have ha-d in my 
possession a book containing Rules 
in Equation of Payments, Barter, 
Loss and Gain,, Simple and Com- 
pound Inte'ji'e^st, Exchange, Comi-i 
parison of Weights and Measures, 
Double Rule of Three, Allegation, 
Medeal and Alternate, Arithmetic- 
al Progression, Geometrical Pro- 
gession. Reduction of Vulgar Frac- 
tion. He had 16 scholars. 

There being no books for use, 
he was accustomed to make rules 
on these and kindred subjects, give 
examples under each; give them to 
hi scholars today and next school 
day they would recite upon that 
subject. The book I had was whei-e 
he kept copies of them. 

Frederick Blood settled on the 
farm now owned by Carnot Tyler, 
north-west of Atlanta. He came 
from Balston, Saratoga county, but 
was born in Germany. His sons 
were: Asa, Avery, Zeba and Fred 
Jr. 

He early built a mill on a creek 
on the Tyler farm. With this mill 
he sawed out timber for a frame 
barn, built across the road from 
the house, which is said to have 
been the first frame building in the 
tOAvn, or in this part of the coun- 
ty. Storms beat upon it. The sun 
shone upon it for half a century — 
theai it was moved back of the 
house. 

In ISin, he bought lands at 
North Cohocton and built what I 
l:nov; a? the YanRiper Hotel. It 



was the first fi-ame building at that 
point and the place was named 
Bloods Corners, and so kept the 
name until the coming of the Erie 
railroad in 18 52, which appropriat- 
ed the name "Bloods" until July 1, 
1892, when it had lost its charm 
and surrendered, some think, 
sweeter, Atlanta. 

The postoffice has from 1828 to 
date, been known as North Cohoc- 
ton. 

Among some of the later pro- 
prietors of the hotel, I wuld re- 
call the younger Fred Blood, Lis- 
eomb Nichols, William Hyatt, Ed- 
mund Fbwler, Walling, VanRiper, 
Wagner, Bailey, Smith. 

Daniel Raymond and sons came 
to this part of the tcwr from 
Wheeler in 1816 and seetled on ibe 
Hoag-Marsh farm. His sojie were: 
Daniel, Roswell, Silas and Alva 
Roswell. They first settled on the 
S. F. Woodworth farm. Alva set- 
tled on the Healy place. Silas first 
settled at Kanona or Kennedyville, 
but coming to this town in 1823, 
settled on the Clayst3n-G*ardner 
farm. Silas and Roswell were each 
Quaker preachers and held meet- 
ings in the school house of now 
District No. 4. This fact and the 
further one that Richard Hooker 
was a Quaker accounts for the fact 
that that street has ofien been call- 
ed Quaker Street. 

Henry and Richard Crouch set- 
tled early on the farm of Joda M. 
Crouch. Henry went to the war of 
1812, but did not live to return. 
His widow bought the Hooker 
place of James Woodard in 1818, 
and was afterwards married to 
Elnathan Wing, and now you 
know why it is called the Wing 
place. I have not much question 
that the Walden place, next north. 



was in au early day part and par- 
cel of the same place. 

James Moultou came from Sara- 
toga County as early as 1815, and 
after a few yeaiT's settlement took 
up a farm on or near the now 
Wayland road in the northern part 
of the town. Richard Moulton, a 
son came in 1818, and purchased 
of Frederick Blood, part of his 
land, settled near his father on 
what is now known as the O'Con- 
nell place. 

Ashel Tyler, some years later 
became possessed of part of the 
Blood farm, known todajy as Mil- 
an Tyler farm, and became a resi- 
dent of the town. John Bush of 
Pompey, Onondaga county, was an 
early settler in town. He made a 
clearing where the school house in 
District 4 now stands.. He is said 
to have built the first frame house 
in town, and to have bought the 
first hayrake. 

Mrs. W. W. Miller was a daugl\- 
ter by his first wife and Mrs. H. V.'. 
Hatch, his second wife. Nor; is 
Bush and Wesley Unsh a,Tj his 
isons. There are a number of other 
children. 

Abijah Fowler cam:; from Onei- 
da county to North Cohocto,i ir 
1816, where he engagv?d in far.jli.g 
and renting oxen, sheop and cows. 
He died in 1849. 

Samuel G. Fowler was liis son 
and the only son, who spent ills 
his life in Steuben county. He was 
■a trustee of the M. E. church at 
North Gohocton, and contributed 
largely to the erection of a church 
building in 1846. He was also one 
of the School trustees for many 
years. He was the father of Noyes 
K. Fowler. He died in 1877. 

I would be glad, did time per- 
mit, to tell you of Chauncey At- 



well, John Watt, John Nichosou, 
Dr. F. H. Blakely and others, all of 
whom were early pioneers of the 
north part of the town. 

At Atlanta up to the time of 
the coming of the Erie railroad in 
1852. There were but two houses — 
those of Caleb Cross and Darwin 
Kimball, so that the place took its 
boom then. 

Asa Watkins built the Mountain 
View Hotel, burnt a few years 
ago. Hodgeman built the first 
store; at the same time as hotel, 
John Oakly had a mercantile busi- 
ness a few years and sold out in 
1859 to J. W. Pierce. 

W. W. Waite was, an early and 
progressive citizen of Atlanta, but 
dying eai"./ his career was shorten- 
ed. He was the eldest son of Duty 
Waite, before mentioned. 

Wm. A. Gilbert v/as merchant at 
North Gohocton fr ra 1846 until 
his death in 1878. 

Dr. A. L. Gilbert c:ime to North 
Gohocton direct from Medical Col- 
lege in Vermont, and spent his life 
there in a noble v/ork, dying in 
1906. 

PERKINSVILLE AND PATGHIN- 
VILLE 

Benjamin Perkins established 
his family and saw mill at Pevkins- 
ville about 1812, and cajne there 
possibly a year earlier, as the vil- 
lage cemetery at that place, vrhich 
was named after him, contained a 
head-stone, "Bridget", daughter of 
Benjamin and Lydia Perkins, died 
July 14, 1812, aged three months 
and eight days." 

Walter Patchin was born in Nor- 
walk. Conn., July 24, 176 4. He 
joined the Gontinential Army and 
took part in defense of the town 
(Cowen) against the British 
and Indians. Young Patchin was 



injured and later, pensioned by the 
Government for the injury he re- 
ceived. 

Later he settled in Marcellus, 
Onondaga county, and in 1814, 
moved to Patchinville, giving a 
name to the place. He settled near 
the present residence of Hon. Gor- 
don M. Patchin. Walter Patchiii 
was twice married. His first wife 
was the mother of Dr. Warren 
Patchin. Myron W. Patchin was 
the nijuth of eleven children of his 
second wife. 

"When Walter Patchin moved to 
town," sajys Jarvis in his history of 
Wayland "he transported his goods 
with an ox teiam and in coming 
dov/n the East Patchin hill over 
which the old road led, one of his 
oxen fell and broke his neck. A 
most serious loss for a Pioneer 
farmer. On inquiring of Bejamin 
Perkins he learned of a settler 
near Dansville, of whom an ox 
could be obtained. r>ut Mr. Pat- 
chin was not prepared to pa^y just 
then, and being a stranger was in 
a predicament from which Mr. Per- 
kins relieved him by picking up a 
chip, on which he scratched his 
initials, "B. P." and gave it to Mr. 
Patchin to. hand to the settler, 
which he did and came back with 
his bovine. This is the first record- 
ed bank check in town." 

Probably no man had a more 
strenuous life than did Dr. Warren 
Patchin, a son of Walter Patchin, 
who saw service in the war of 1812 
to 1814. He came to Patchinville 
shortly after his father and was 
the most noted practitioner in all 
this locality and there were other 
grand ones. He was an active 
member of the Steuben Medical 
Society from its organ inzation in 
1S18. and its first President. He 



fetill found time to do other 
things than practice medicine. In 
1820 he built the Patchinville saw- 
mill, which burned in 1821, and 
in. 1822, he erected the Patchin- 
ville grist mill, which stands to- 
day. 

The tax roll for 1829 gives War- 
ren Patchin 409 acres valued at 
$12 per acre, the highest on the 
list. 

The long time famous Patchin 
Hotel was built by him in 1824. 
For many years it was a typical 
country tavern, where the young 
men of the day brought cheir sweet 
hearts, in that early da,y to the 
s.well dances. It stood where now 
the residence of John P. Morsch 
istands. 

There were four of the Hess 
brothers who settled on farms near 
Patchinville in 1818. They came 
from Herkimer county. All had 
large families. Denies or Dennis 
Hess had two sons to whom the 
then Wayland part of this town 
owes much. 

.John Hess v/as Supervisor of 
Cohocton in 1840, 1841, 1843, 
1844, 1848. Then he was serving 
his fifth term as Supervvisor when 
Wayland was formed. Did much 
for its formation, and according to 
agreement being in office, became 
the the first Supervisor of the town 
of Wayland at its formation, April 
12, 1848. 

Myron M. Patchin being one of 
the Justices of Peace of Cohocton, 
and living in that territry became 
one of the firt Justices of Peace of 
Wa.yland for the same reason. The 
late Solomon F. Hess of Rochester 
was a son of John Hess. 
LOON LAKE 

I would be glad to stop longer 
over members of this town, in its 



northern portion, but we must look 
westwai-d. 

Rev. Salmon Bronson must have 
settled on Loon Lake as early as 
1811. He wa<s the first settler in 
that portion of the town. I quote 
from his tomb-stone, which I am 
sorry to say, lies broken upon the 
ground at the front portion of Loon 
Lake cemetery. 

Rev. Salmon Bronson, first 
settler at Loon Lake. Died July 29, 
1839, aged 67 years." "Mary, 
wife of Salmon Bronson, died 
June 21, 1859, aged 80 years." 

His sons were Elisha, James, 
Charles, Salmon, William and Da- 
vid. 

At an earl,y day he ov/ned nearly 
if not quite all the land about Loo^^ 
Lake. 

Salmon Bronson se*:tled on what 
is now known as the Faulkner 
place, occupied by Mrs. Sarah 
Flaulkner. It was, after his father's 
death, ocupied by Rev. James 
Bronson, one of Salmon Bronson's 
sons, who transferred it to James 
P. Clark and he to William 
Faulkner. 

Elisha Bronson, who like his 
father and brother James were lo- 
cal Metholist ministers, built an 
overshod Avater saw-mill where 
the present Didas cider and vine- 
gar mill iis in Bonesville, in com- 
pany with his son-in-law Carpen- 
ter. 

Charles Bronson, another son of 
Salmon's lived on the Griswold- 
Cooley place on the corner of the 
highways. The Bronsons were 
strong, energetic men in their day. 

The cemetery at Loon Lake has 
this early stone, "Mary, wife of 
Elisiha Bronson, died December, 
1813. Thils is probably one of the 
earliest deaths in the Loon T^ake, a 



former section of the town of Co- 
hocton. 

Elisha Bronson died April 17, 
1871, aged 83. I do not know of 
one of the family in tov.'n or in 
this immediate section. 

One of the early settlers at Loon 
Lake was Amos Halliday, who 
died April 1853, aged 106 years. 
He settled in that portion of the 
part of Cohocton about 1815, on 
the farm yet in possession of the 
family. 

Osgood Carleton came from the 
West Portland plantation in Massa- 
chussetts to the Wadamus phu:e 
south of Loon Lake early in 1813. 
The Wadamus place, as it was 
known, included lands owned by 
Warren Briggs, Bert Wagner and 
Lester Ingalls. After living there 
two or three years he moved to the 
Gaiss (Worth) farm where he lived 
many years. He vas n surveyor as 
well as farmer. Carleton Hill was 
named after him February 17, 
1810. tinder an act of the United 
States to encourage leasing, he was 
issued a certificate for Carleton's 
Compendium of Arithmetic by the 
State of Massachusetts. Also on 
Januaray 5, 1790, the Boston 
Marine Society, "We recommend 
Mr. Osgood Carleton as a person 
of good character and well ac- 
quainted with the Mathematics." 

Signed, W. Smith, Sec. 

He was grandfather of Mrs. 
Monroe Clayson and Mrs. C. C. 
Newcomb. 

Reuben Clayson settled in the 
town at an early day on a farm 
just east of his grandson's MonroO' 
Clayson's present farm, and clear- 
ed a large tract in that section. 
Wheeler Clayson is also a grand- 
son and Lewivs and Smith Clayson, 
nephews. 



Loon Lake, always a fine body of 
water, was made even more attrac- 
tive, when in 1870, Thomas War- 
ner purchased a tract of land on 
the west side of the lake and erect- 
ed thereon a fine hotel and one or 
two cottages. For a number of 
years thereafter and down to the 
burning of the hotel in October 
1888, it was a much sought resort, 
especially for miles around. One of 
the original cottages, saved from 
fire, is now occupied by Crouch, 
who has tenants. 

About the time of the dedication 
July 14, 1871, occurred there a se- 
vere accident. Parties were out in 
boats all over the lake. A cannon 
was loaded with gravel and about 
anything handy and when fired 
killed Llewellyn Rynders, son of 
Hiram Rynders, instantly and se- 
verely injuring A. T. Parkhill, a 
young attorney then practicing 
here. Young R^ynders was 15 years 
old at the time. 

Jonas Cleland, accompanied by 
his family, among whom was a son 
James, then seven years of age, 
rame here from Pompey, Onondaga 
county in 1805. Having purchased 
a parcel of land equal to a mile 
square just south of the present 
south Hne fence of the fair grounds 
for 12 shillings per acre, built a 
log house on the north side of the 
Davis creek nearly opposite the 
present residence of William Cragg. 

In 180 8, he built the first saw 
mill. It was built on the bank of 
the Conhocton just west of the 
present barn on the farm of Jonah 
Cleland. The irons used in the saw 
mill were got by Charies William- 
son, Pulteney agent at Bath, who 
it is said, was preparing to build a 
mill here prior to his sale. The 



irons were manufactured in England 

A short time later he built a 
grist mill, s«me 20 rodo south and 
east in reality, on the other side of 
the road, which then ran along the 
bank of the river. That grist mill 
was a great boom to the inhabi- 
tants then living within a radiusi 
of ten miles. Before its erection 
they had to go to Naples or Dans- 
ville on horse-back, with whatever 
grist they had. The roads not then 
admitting, at least in comfortable 
shape of v/heeled vehicles. 

One of the mill stones of said 
mill is on the Jonah Cleland farm. 

Before building the grist mill he 
had sold to Albertus Larrowe, 
great-grandfather of Charles Lar- 
rowe, the northern half of the land' 
included in his purchase and buiFt 
for himself a house en the bank 
of the river some 20 rods south 
of the present residence of Jonah 
Cleland, his grandson. 

Jonah Cleland was evidently a 
strong, enegetic man, and without 
doubt a man of some means. The 
saw mill built by Mr. Cleland was 
for a long time known as the Da- 
vis mill and afterward owned by 
Thomas Warner. 

I now come to Samuel Chamber- 
lain. The county histories say Joseph 
Chamberlain and others speak of 
Levi Chamberlain, the county his- 
torians putting Joseph here in 1805 
to 1808, according to which you 
are reading. Both these men are in 
name, at least, creatures of imag- 
ination as neither ever lived, 
breathed or had an existence. Sam'l 
Chamberlain was born in Ipswich, 
Mass., in 1787, and came to this 
town about 1809, and did service in 
the Jonah Cleland Company of the 
v^ar of 1812. He settled on the Da- 
vis farm. 



The story goes and with part at 
least, correctness, that his effects 
consisted of a pack carried, and a 
cow and dog. His mode of living was 
primitive in the extreme, imitating 
Diogenes, who is said to have lived 
in a tub. Chamberlain did not have 
even a tub, so taking a log he cut a 
hole in the upper side near the end 
as it lay on the ground, taught his 
cow to step astride, milked her in 
that opening, put his bread, when he 
had any, in and ate it with an iron 
spoon. 

In 1820, he sold out to Daniel H. 
Davis and commenced the erection 
of the VanWormer house on North 
Main street, but before finishing sold 
out to Paul C. Cook, and built a 
dwelling on the Ezra Mathers place 
on South Main street. Here he resid- 
ed for quite a number of years, but 
sold out to Lewis Kimball. Then he 
built a building that stood not far 
west of the present Wilcox & Son 
office. 

The Erie road, about 1850, want- 
ing the room he went, building and 
all, across the river and located on 
th present site of the Cohocton 
(Drum-Bush) hotel. Here he died 
in 1860. He was for a number of 
years the town collector and is said 
to have sold the first yard of calico 
sold in town. 

Conrad Shults, when he built the 
hotel he moved the building acrooS 
the street and is now owned by 
Cassius Mathers. 

Daniel H. Davis was born in New 
Haven, Conn., his mother being Ly- 
dia Allen, sister of Ethan Allen of 
Ticonderoga fame. Mr. Davis' father 
was her second husband. Her first 
husband was a half brother of Jonas 
Cleland. 

About 1820, he came to Cohocton, 
and purchased of Samuel Chamber- 
lain the farm now known as the Da- 
vis farm below the village. He also 



owned the saw mill built by Jonas 
Cleland, which was afterwards 
known as the Warner mill, now des- 
troyed. He also at one time was the 
owner of the mills on the site of the 
Larrowe Milling Co., mills. 

Near where is the present Kiefer 
mill he built a woolen factory, which 
was operated by a Mr. Willis, an 
Englishman. All sorts of woolen 
goods, blankets, flannels and broad- 
cloths were manufactured. It was 
afterwards owned by Pedmore & 
Dantz. 

He had at one time a lumber yard 
at Canandaigua. He was Major of 
the local military that drilled on the 
square that ran from S. D. Parmen- 
ter's house to the Beehive, (Printing 
office building) on Maple Avenue. 
He was at one time interested in a 
general store, and was postmaster 
and Justice of the Peace. 

Joseph Shattuck, a soldier of the 
Revolutionary war, and a pensioner 
at the time of his death in 1819, 
who was buried in Maple View ceme- 
tery, came from Onondaga county 
in 18 06, and settled in the then 
southern part of the town (now 
Avoca) on the Henderson farm. He 
ran a hotel there. 

His sons were Joseph, Lucius 
(father of S. D. Shattuck,) Truman, 
(father of Harvey S. Shattuck), Ze- 
buna and Alfred. 

Joseph came to the now village of 
Cohocton about 1809 and built the 
fist original Steuben House (smaller 
than at present), the oldest building 
in the village, which he occupied a 
few years, then sold to Jonathan 
Danforth who sold to Constant Cook 
in 182 2, who with others, owned and 
operated a line of stages between 
Bath and Dansville, a branch from 
here going to Canaiidaigua. The two 
large barns stood west of the hotel 
and occupied nearly down to the 
' present bank building, the last of 



10 



which Henry Schuster tore down in 
1907, to make room for his large 
new barn, using much of its timber, 
were the stage barns. Horses were 
changes here and dinner eaten. 

The following have been the hotel 
proprietors and about the years of 
their occupancy. 

Horace West; Calvin Blood, 1838- 
1848; Jacob Walling, 1848-1852; 
Chauncey Chandler 1853-1854; 
Daniel Ward, 1854-1858; Jacob 
Walling, 2d time, 1859-1860; Jacob 
Townsend, 18 61-18 62; George F. 
Mead, 1862-1864; A. J. Pinch, 1864- 
1865; Amos Halliday for a short 
time; Hatch St. John for a year; 
George P. Mead, 2d, for anoother 
year. 

Prom 1867 to 1870, it was rented 
to tenants, one being Walter N. El- 
dred, who while living there kept the 
postofRce and a feed store. John 
White going in in 1870, reopened it 
as a hotel and continued until 1875. 
That year it was bought by Shepard 
Rowell who raised it to three stories, 
as it now is, and continued in pos- 
session until he moved into the War- 
ner House in 1885, having sold out 
to Jacob L. Barthleme, who manag- 
ed t until 1900, when it came into 
the possession of Henry Schuster 
and so remains. 

In 1909, it will have reached a 
century of existence. In spite of 
dire predictions both insurance and 
otherwise, men have come and men 
have gone. Its history stretches be- 
yond all its surroundings in build- 
ing3 or people. Elections, dances, 
meetings for business interests of 
the community have been held with- 
in its walls. 

This digression for the Shattuck 
history seemed necessary. I now 
resume on Joseph Shattuck's, Sr. 
sons. 

Lucius Shattuck, the father of the 
late Stephen D. Shattuck, came to 



this place not far from 1812, and 
built a house on the present site of 
S. D. Pamenter's house on South 
Main street. He was a shoemaker 
by trade, which business he followed 
many years. He also engaged in 
farming. He was first elected Town 
Clerk in 1822, and held the office 
with the exception of the year 1831 
nutil 1838. He was elected again 
in 1852, but died soon after. So 
Lucius and his son Stephen D. Shat- 
tuck died while holding the office of 
Town Clerk. 

Truman Shattuck settled in the 
north part of the town, and was the 
father of Harvey S. Shattuck who 
died November 9, 1903. He at one 
time owned the Barney-E. E. Stan- 
ton farm on Lent Hill. Zebuna and 
Alfred Shattuck settled near their 
father in the then southern part of 
the town. 

Alvin Talbat came into town at 
an early age and settled near the 
present south line of the town. In 
1808, he sold out to Gabriel Deusen- 
bery. His log house stood between 
the present highway and the Jacob 
Stanton farm house, for that was the 
Deusenbery farm. In 1863, Deusen- 
bery sold out and later purchased 
the A. VanRiper farm. He was 
grand-father to Merritt Deusenbery. 

The first school house in the town 
was a log building that stood on 
the Deusenbery farm. There was 
built by Mr. Deusenbery in 1823, a 
saw mill. Its site was that of the 
present Tierney mill. It was later 
converted into a paper mill by 
Stoning & Brown, then run by Mer- 
rill H. and Lucius Brown and was 
quite successful, until it was burned 
in 1850. 

Benjamin S. Hoag then bought 
the property and built a saw mill on 
the site of the paper mill. This was 
burned and he built a third mill 
which was burned in 18 75. Still he 



11 



built another. Later the Tierney 
mill was built. 

William Walker had the first tan- 
nery in town where the former 
Green-Noble home occupied by Bellis 
is. It was operated for nearly 25 
years and finally removed. The old 
house the other side of the street 
was a part of it. 

Lawrence VanWormer came from 
Montgomery county in 1816. He had 
traded his farm there for a tract in 
this county — Bound Tract — some 
eighteen hundred acres. Here he 
purchased some 250 acres more. His 
home was the present farm of J. D. 
Flint. Some 600 acres of this land, 
he is said to have cleared and made 
ready for cultivation. He like his 
son, Valentine, VanWormer, was a 
prominent member of the M. B. 
church and the early quarterly 
meetings, for want of a more com- 
modious place, are said to have been 
held in his barn. He died August, 
1852, aged 84. 

Most of the histories make Horace 
Fowler a resident of this town in 
1806 This is too early, as he did 
not come until about 1808. He 
built a house on the present home 
lot of Charles Larrowe. 

He was the father of O. S. and 
L. N. Fowler and Charlotte Fowler 
Wells, the noted Phrenologists 

Many of the earlier meetings of 
the Congregational, now Presbyteri- 
an church, were held at his resi- 
dence. He was elected Commissioner 
of Highways in 1815, and was 
prominent in town affairs in other 
offices. 

Byron Haight and son, Peter 
Haight came aboue 1814, and settled 
on the Theobold Neufang farm. 
Peter Haight was one of the early 
collectors of the town of Cohocton, 
and was the father of Mrs. Albert H. 
Weld. 

David Parmenter came to this 



town at an early day and settled on 
the place owned by the Larrowe 
Milling Co., and owned now by 
Charles Aldous. He built in 1825, a 
grist mill and saw mill above where 
the present plant of the Larrowe 
Milling Co., stands. It was burned 
in 1829. 

Isaac Morehouse who settled on 
the Thorp farm opposite the present 
residence of Mrs. Sarah Thorp, 
Timothy Sherman who lived 

on the N. J. Wagner farm, James 
Barnard, Samuel Rhodes, Jesse At- 
wood, Charles Burlingham, Samuel 
Leggett, Cornelius Crouch were all 
early settlers in and about the vil- 
lage of Cohocton. 

Caleb Crouch was a settler in 
1828, built a hotel on the present 
site of the Warner House. He occu- 
pied and owned the property until 
his death in 1842, and by his heirs 
for some years later the following 
were among the occupants and in 
about the following order. 

J. P. Brace, Lawrence Borden, 
Jas. A. Arnold, Mr. Simpson, 1851- 
1853; Gardner Mason, 1854; Calvin 
E. Thorp, James Elliott, Samuel S. 
Rosenkrans, S. Farnsworth, 1867- 
18G:; Samuel S. Turn, 1864-1875; 
Cha,J. Densmore, 1875-1876; Shep- 
ard Rowell who moved back to 
the Steuben House, March 1S79, af- 
ter being away from there but a 
short time. 

It was the intention of Mrs. Dens- 
more to open the hotel the next mor- 
ning, but it took fire and was burned 
to the ground. Thomas Warner 
purchased the lot in 1880, and mov- 
ed a building known as the evapora- 
tor building upon the corner and 
turned it into an evaporator and so 
occupied it until IS S3. That was 
moved back and stands next to the 
barn and that year Mr. Warner 
commenced the erection of the War- 
ner House. That building is an or- 



12 



nament to the place but has never 
been particularly profitable. 

Since then its occupants have been 
as follows: 

Van Vleck and son until 1885; 
Shepard Rowell 1885-1891; Charles 
King for about six months; O. F. 
Leiders 1892 to February 1894; 
Austin H. Twining March 1894- 
August 1894; Lake & Perault 
August 1894-August 189 5; William 
Perault August 1895-September 
1896; William H. Taylor September 
189 6 until his death, May 1899; 
Mrs. W. H. Taylor from May 1899 
until December 1899; Smith H. Hill 
Dcember 1890-March 1901; Richard 
Kirby March 1901-March 1904; 
J. P. Brace February 1905-June 
1905; Luther S. Veeder September 
1905-1909; A. F. Adams March 
1909. 

Thomas C. Chase came to Cohocton 
about the year 1812. He purchased 
a tract of land, most of which was 
wilderness, in the village. He built 
a log house on the site of the present 
Stone residence in this village. His 
land extended from his residence 
east half way to the four corners and 
west including the flats west of the 
river. Later about 1828, he erect- 
ed a frame house on the same 
ground which is now the back part 
of the Stone r-esidence. 

Levi C. Chase, one of his sons, 
about 183 6, built the present Link 
house at end of the street in Trip- 
nock. Mr. Chase was under Cook and 
Magee in the construction of the 
Rochester division of the now Erie 
railroad and was its first Superin- 
tendent for a few years. Afterward 
he moved to LeRoy and died in Min- 
neapols, Minn. 

Nathaniel B. Chase, another son 
of Thomas C. Chase, at one time 
owned the Larrowe Mill site and 
sold in 1850 to David H Wilcox. 
Amos W. Chase, another son, was a 



merchant of this place and lived on 
the Slayton-Wager place on South 
Main street. 

Phillip Cook settled in this town 
on the farm now owned by Haskins- 
R. W. Miller and which stands near 
the Erie railroad south of the pres- 
ent south town line. 

He was the father of Constant and 
Paul C. Cook. He was a former resi- 
dent of Warren, Herkimer County, 
and came to this town about 1815. 
When he came he had slaves, but 
not long afterward they were freed. 

Constant Cook came here in 1820, 
engaged a few years in farming and 
in 1822 became interested with the 
late John Magee, then of Watkins, 
formerly of Bath, in numerous mail 
and stage routes. He purchased the 
Steuben House of Jonathan Dan- 
forth that year and thus began the 
large fortunes which both of these 
men built up. He moved to Bath in 
1843, and later was engaged in the 
construction of the now Erie rail- 
road, and then known as the Buffalo, 
New York and Corning, from Corn- 
ing to Buffalo by way of Batavia and 
Attica. Later he was interested in 
the Bloss Coal Co., near Blossburg, 
Pa. 

About 1854, he established what 
was known at the time of his death, 
February 24, 1874, as the First Na- 
tional Bank of Bath, over which he 
presided for twenty years as its 
president. 

Constant Cook, even while a hotel 
proprietor, was a Justice of the 
Peace. The followng facts are re- 
lated: 

"One day an old gentleman and a 
young lady alighted from one of his 
stages as it drove up before the now 
Steuben House, and stopped for 
dinner. While waiting the old 
gentleman informed Mr. Cook that 
he desired the services of a justice, 
as they desired to be married. His 



13 



host informed him that he had the 
honor of being one of these officials 
and would gladly accommodate 
them. He accordingly tied the nup- 
tial knot and they went on their way 
rejoicing. 

They went to Bath and returned 
the next day. The young lady had 
evidently become dissatisfied with 
her old, new-made husband, for she 
quickly called the Justice — Land- 
lord Cook to one side, asking him if 
he could not unmarry them as she 
had regretted the step she had taken 
adding, "Mr. Cook, it does seem 
to me that as you have performed 
all the ceremony in this matter, 
that you might unmarry us." Jus- 
tice Cook assured the young lady, 
that he would gladly accede to her 
request if it were in his power to do 
so. The law that empowered me to 
so. The law that empowered him to 
tie the nuptial knot did not provide 
any means by which he could un- 
tie it. She turned away with evi- 
dent disappointment and reluctant- 
ly joined him, whom she had in a 
foolish moment chosen for her hus- 
hand." 

The father of Moses Saxton lived 
here and drove the stage from here 
to Canandaigua for Cook & Magee. 

Paul C. Cook, another son of Phil- 
ip Cook, was a prominent man in 
town affairs. He was a merchant. 
About 1828, be built what is known 
as the "Beehive" — Times-Index 
office. This building with the house 
that stood on the Fred Wittig dwell- 
ing lot, known as the Winters' 
house and was burned about 1883, 
and an old building that stood where 
Jacob Stein's house is, were the only 
buildings then on that side of Ma- 
ple Avenue until the building of the 
Lichius house, a year or two later, 
which makes the "Beehive" the 
oldest building on the south side of 
Maple Avenue today. He was Super- 



visor of the town thirteen years, 
town clerk 3 years. Member of As- 
sembly 1827-1831. In the fall of 
1844 he was elected County Clerk, 
and re-elected in 1847, holding the 
office six years. He moved to Bath 
upon his election as County Clerk. 

Albertus Larrowe came from New 
Jersey to the town of Reading, 
Schuyler County, and from there to 
the town of Wheeler. From there he 
came to Cohocton about 1806, hav- 
ing bought of Samuel S. Haight, 
then agent of the Pulteney etate, the 
land from the south line of the Fair 
ground north to Mill St., in this vil- 
lage and purchased the northern 
portion of the Cleland land as before 
mentioned. 

John Larrowe, his oldest son, 
came here and bought the Haight 
property of his father. He built a 
house which stood near the location 
of the present Larrowe farm house, 
which was afterwards removed and 
is now known as the Wemple house 
on Hill street. He erected the pres- 
ent Larrowe farm house. He had 
four sons, Franklin, Albertus, Mar- 
cus Dwight and William Wheeler. 
Franklin died in 18 G2; William W., 
at an earlier date. 

John Larrowe died in 1SG7. His 
land was left to his two surviving 
sons, Albertus and Marcus Dwight. 

Albertus bought his brother out. 
In 18 66, he bought the present site 
of the Larrowe Milling Co., of Da- 
vid H. Wilcox and operated it as a 
custom mill until 1889, when the 
Larrowe Milling Co., was formed. 

The Weld family, which figures 
in the early history of Cohocton, are 
an off-shoot of the vigorous parent 
stock, which so long had its root in 
Roxbury, Mass. 

Captain Joseph Weld with other 

brothers. Rev. Thomas and Daniel, 

were in Roxbury as early as 16 35, 

\and was undoubtedly one of the sub- 

14 



stantial men of Massachusetts Bay. 

His great-grand-son, Lieut. 

Daniel Weld, settled in Carlton, 
Mass. His second son Noah, had 
three sons, Isaac, Luther and Calvin. 
These three sous in their turn be- 
came pioneers of Guilford, Vt. — Lu- 
ther and Calvin were twins, and 
married sisters, Eunice and Betsey 
Rogers of Guilford, Mass., who were 
said to be descendents of John Rog- 
ers. The Martyr Four of Luther's 
sons at one time or another resided 
in this section. 

David Weld, one of his sons, born 
in 1796, moved to Cohocton in 1816, 
but went back to Vermont in 1818, 
and married there September 2, 
1819, Mary Taylor, daughter of 
Jonathan Taylor, who was a mem- 
ber of the famous Boston Tea Party. 
In 1820, he returned to Cohocton 
with his bride and was a deacon in 
the Congregational (now Presbyteri- 
an church) and supervisor of the 
town 1827, 1828, 1831. In 1844 he 
moved to Illinois in a wagon. He 
lived on the farm now owned by 
H. W. Schwingel. 

Abigal R. Weld born in Guilford, 
Vermont, moved with his brother 
David, to Cohocton and lived here 
until his death October 4, 1873. He 
lived in the house on the Schwingel 
farm after his brother moved west. 
One of his daughters, Fanny R., was 
the first wife of Benjamin W. Tamb- 
ling. She died December 1874. Mr. 
Tambling died January, 1908. 

Luther Weld was born in Guilford, 
Vermont, and married Fannie Sar- 
geant of Bookbury Maine, where he 
lived until 18 51, when he moved to 
Cohocton, where he died December 
5, 1861. He was the father of the 
late Albert H. Weld. One of Luther 
Weld's daughters, Laura E., was at 
one time connected with W. W. War- 
ner in establishing the first paper 
published here, and wrote much for 



the Rural New Yorker. 

Arnold Weld was born in Guilford, 
Vermont, moved to Cohocton and 
lived in what was known as the Rex- 
sicker place, a house that stood just 
north of St. Paul's Lutheran church, 
but which has been torn down. He 
moved to Illinois a number of years 
ago. 

James Reynolds came from Wat- 
kins in 1828, wih his brother-in-law 
Job Tripp. He removed to Patchin- 
ville, where in 183 3, he purchased a 
saw- mill of Daniel Totten. After 
ten years' residence there he came 
back to this town and purchased 
what is known as the Reynolds place 
on Loon Lake road, and built a saw- 
mill thereon. This was burned and 
he built another and operated it for 
many years. Mr. Reynolds died, 
February 7, 1871, aged 79. He was 
the father of James M. Reynolds. 

Job Tripp born in Washington 
county and, as before said, came 
here in 1828 and settled on the Haag 
— M. H. Wilcox place, which then in- 
cluded the Tripp — G. I. Shoultice 
farm. 

His sons were Ira M., James F., 
David N., Francis Granger, Henry 
Clay and Sidney R. He was Commis- 
sioner of Highways, Excise Commis- 
sioner and held other town offices. 
He died September 3, 1870, aged 74 
years. 

Many of the histories give one of 
the early settlers at Tripnock as 
Charles Tripp. His son, Charles 
Tripp, did settle here in 1847, but 
Charles Tripp, Sr., was never a resi- 
dent of this town, but of Dansville, 
where he lived at South Dansville, 
and was a farmer. His father, James 
Tripp, coming from Clyde to Patch- 
inville in 1835, and moved to South 
Dansville in 1839. 

Charles, Tripp, Jr., is said to have 
been quite a wrestler in his day 
whether from that came the name of 



15 



the place — Tripnock — I would not 
be sure. Many say so, and I have no 
reason to dispute. 

Another son of Charles, Sr., Dan'l 
Tripp, settled on the Graser place, 
and was a practicing physician here 
and in the surounding country for 
many years. 

In passing I will mention that a 
man by the name of Borden kept a 
hotel just above the Clark-Link farm 
on land about where the present 
residence of Charles Oliver now 
stands. 

There was also a brewery on the 
present Eugene Thorp place. Paul 
C. Cook and Daniel H. Davis owned 
an interest in it. 

LENT HILL 

Abram Lent, the first settler of 
Lent Hill and from whom it received 
its name, settled there in 1809. His 
land was the south side of the road 
as you leave the valley to climb the 
hill west of the Lent Hill church and 
before you get to the cemeteries on 
each side of the highway, east of the 
school house of School District No. 
12. He had a large family. He died 
January 17, 1880, aged 88 years. 

His first wife was Betsey, oldest 
daughter of Samuel Hartwell, who 
was a nephew of Roger Sherman of 
Revolutionary times. Mr. Hartwell's 
wife Elizabeth Wilkinson, sister of 
the noted Germania Wilkinson, "The 
Prophetess". 

Samuel Hartwell, according to 
history, had an exciting life in his 
early years and passed through 
many adventures during the 
war of 1812. He was taken by the 
British and carried to Kingston, 
where he was confined in jail. He 
succeeded in escaping and fleeing to 
the United States. He made his way 
to the town of Jerusalem, Yates 
county, to the home of his sister-in- 
law, Jemima Wilkinson, and after- 
ward came to North Cohocton where 



he kept, if he did not build, the pres- 
ent building on grounds of Blivin's 
hotel, a hotel in the building stand- 
ing on the opposite corner of the 
street from the VauRiper hotel, from 
1815 to 1830. Later it was kept by 
son, Elijah. 

Matthew Hatch settled on Lent Hill 
in 1812. He is said to have been the 
third family to settle on Lent Hill. 
His land was what is now the site of 
the M. E. church and the W. James' 
farm in the town of Prattsburg, but 
what Cohocton got in 1874. 

Mr. Hatch's wife was a daughter 
of Abram Lent. They were the par- 
ents of five sons and one daughter, 
Mrs. Wm. Hyatt. 

Matthew Hatch died on Lent Hill, 
and was the first person buried in 
the Hatch burying ground on the 
north side of the Lent Hill road 

Mr. Hatch once took forty bushels 
of oats worth 12^/^ cents to Dans- 
ville, and brought home a barrel of 
salt. Farmers of this day, what say 
you to that? 

One of his sons, Barnabas C. 
Hatch, early settled in Michigan and 
became County Judge and a Member 
of the Legislature. 

Another son, Sylvanus C. Hatch, 
was a successful farmer on Lent 
Hill, dying in 1874, at the residence 
of his son, Hiram W. Hatch and was 
buried on Lent Hill. 

Hiram Ketch, a native of Vermont, 
a fife Major in the war of 1812, 
came from Vermont in 1818, and 
settled in Italy, Yates County. The 
next year he came to Lent Hill and 
settled on the Mattice-Totten farm, 
where empty-handed he managed to 
become quite a landed proprietor. 
After his death in 1875, the land was 
owned by Cyrus Ketch, his son. 

Jacob Smith was an early comer, 
settling on the north end of he 
Avery farm, later owned the A. L. 
Rynders, Jr., farm. 

16 



Jacob Barney settled on Lent Hill 
in 1814 on the Samuel Wheaton, 
now E. E. Stanton farm. Robert 
Stanton, father of Abel, Jacob, John, 
now all dead, Elijah, who died dur- 
ing the Civil war, Stephen T., who 
also served in the Civil war and died 
in September, 1905, came from 
Schoharie county in 1820, and set- 
tled on what we know as the John 
Tyler farm, when he took up 50 
acres of land on Lent Hill, and which 
was then a thick pine forest. They 
used to cut the timber, hardly ever 
preserving above the first climb, took 
it to the mill at Lyons Hollow, gave 
one-half for sawing, then took one 
thousand feet with an ox team to 
Naples Landing and got the magnif- 
icent sum of four ($4.00) dollars 
per 1000. 

Mr. Stanton was one of the found- 
ers of the M. E. church on Lent Hill, 
and its first class leader. 

Eleazer Tucker, born in Connecti- 
cut, came to the town of Cohocton, 
now Avoca, about 1816, and settled 
on the farm today known as the 
Tucker farm just north of Twelve 
Mile Creek on the Wallace road. 

He built a mill on Twelve Mile 
Creek near his home and cleared a 
large tract of land. At the coming of 
the Erie railroad all trains stopped 
at his place for some time. Smith 
Tucker, his son, was a prominent 
farmer. 

Ebenezer Keeler was also an early 
settler and a man of influence on 
Twelve Mile Creek and in the early 
politics of the town. 

A narrator tells me that in the 
early 3 0's there were as many as a 
dozen houses from Lent Hill church 
to Pine Hill. 
POTTER HILL AND BROWN HILL 

Gideon Potter, who settled on the 
farm now owned by the Walther 
family, and from whom Potter Hill 
received its name, was one of the 



earliest settlers on that hill. 

Darius Crosby came from Hart- 
wick in 1827, and settled on the 
Henderson farm, now in the town of 
Avoca, then in this town, and later 
moved to Potter Hill. He was the 
father of Thomas S. Crosby. 

I quote from an early history. 
"On the road leading from Potter 
Hill to the Flint farm may be seen 
the ruins of an old structure. This 
was Jonah Cleland's bear pen. Such 
structures were often built by the 
pioneers and baited with mutton or 
some other kind of meat for the pur- 
pose of decoying bears to. enter at a 
trap door in the pen. When once in 
the bear found himself a prisoner. 
Mr. Cleland built the pen in 1815, 
but did not complete or use it for a 
Mr. Robbins, a hunter, brought from 
the east, a large fine spring iron trap 
which was substituted for the primi- 
tive method. 

Valentine VanWormer is said to 
have caught a deer in the same trap. 

On the Deusenbery farm, there 
was at an early date, a famous bear 
path along the bank of the river. 
Jonah Cleland once set a "dead fall" 
in this path, in which history says 
he caught thirty or forty bears 

One other bear story and I dismiss 
the subject and diversion. One 
night a pig was heard to squeal vig- 
orously down on the bank of the 
river near Cleland's. Upon going out 
to examine they found a bear stand- 
ing upright and holding Mr. Pig in 
his front paws, and trying to jump 
out of the pen. Every time he jump- 
ed the pig squealed. No gun was 
handy, so clubs were resorted to, but 
with all his clubbing the bear got 
away, swam the river with pig, and 
as pig is a dainty meal for a bear 
you have the result." 

John Brown, wih his sons, Wil- 
liam, Abram, Mainville, Sylvanus 
and Richard, were the first settlers 



17 



on Brown Hill and on the farm own- 
ed by E. V. Brown. They came there 
in an early day. 

Charles Oliver, grandfather of the 
late Charles Oliver settled in the 
present town of South Dansville in 
1816, coming from Athol, Mass. He 
bought 200 acres known as the Pot- 
ter farm near Loon Lake, and built 
a blacksmith shop near the lake 
where he remained about ten years, 
then moving to Rogersville. 

During his residence near Loon 
Lake, then in Cohocton, he held the 
office of Overseer of the Poor in the 
years of 1820-21, 22, 24, and that of 
Assessor 1818-1819. After his re- 
moval to Rogersville he continued 
in the same business of blacksmith. 
He died February 20, 1866. 
PIONEER LIFE 

I could still recall many and other 
names. Some of them early in the 
history of some portion of the then 
town, but your patience and my 
energy have limits, which I must 
obey. 

Let me now strive to picture be- 
fore you the early life and homes 
of these sturdy ancestors whom we 
honor today. 

We will try and call at their home 
— You might have entered a forest 
road traveling along, if in a very 
early day you would have observed 
that they lack regularity of even 
straightness for this custom was ob- 
served. The settler got his land, 
found the best spring of water upon 
that lot, built his log house near the 
spring and the road then was laid 
out by the nearest cut to the next 
neighbor's, unless some impassable 
barrier intervened and they did not 
hesitate at any small obstacle. You 
travel on and soon you come to a 
break in the woods, as you approach 
you hear a dog barking. They were 
part and parcel of a pioneer's life. 
Nearby is his master — a stal- 



wart man clothed in a tow frock and 
trousers. If he has shoes they are 
not Crossett, Douglass or Emerson. 
His hat lies on the ground beside 
him. He stands on the butt of some 
majestic monarch of the forest. He 
appears to have muscular arms and 
shoulders and a full chest of the 
very athlete. He meets us with 
cordiality and invites us to his 
home. 

While standing a few moments 
let us look about — A fine yoke of 
oxen and some cows are browsing 
not far away while a few hoge are in 
a pen near. There are sheep, not 
many, as they have to be housed 
nights for fear of bears, wolves, etc. 
Part of the land cleared shows a 
good crop of oats and potatoes — the 
land cleared showing the potato 
crop and corn already up. There is 
also some wheat growing near this 
clearing and is protected by a fence 
of logs and brush. 

May I quote from another the des- 
cription of the inside of the house. 
But first let me say a well made log 
barn stands near, in which all live 
stock is enclosed at night, for the 
early denizens of the forest have not 
all ueparted and many a former wild 
beast of that region had a pecular 
liking for pork and mutton. 

But we will enter the house. "The 
wife is young and dressed in a wool- 
en or fiax dress and bare footed. I 
do not think she was particularly 
pleased at our intrusion, ■ but she 
soon overcame that and greeted us 
cordially, but no apology for her 
house or costume. As we entered 
she sat near the door spinning flax, 
and a babe lay near her in a cradle 
made from the bark of a birch tree, 
resting on rockers, home-made, and 
the babe did not feel any compunc- 
tions about lying there. I took notes 
of the house. It was 20x26, con- 
structed of round logs linked with 



18 



pieces of split logs, and plastered on 
the outside with clay. The floors 
were made of split logs with the flat 
side up, the door of a thin piece split 
out of a large log, and the roof of the 
same. The windows were open 
places unprotected by glass or sash. 
The fire place was made of stone and 
the chimney of sticks and clay. On 
one side of the fire place was a lad- 
der leading to the chamber. There 
was a bed in one corner, a table and 
half a dozen chairs, and against the 
wall on one side, a few shelves made 
of split board, on which v/ere a few 
articles of crockery, some tin ware 
and three or four books. Behind the 
door was a spinning wheel and reel. 

In some of these dwellings we 
might have found a frame for weav- 
ing. Overhead, fastened on pegs, 
were a gun, rifle, power horn, bullet 
pouch, tomahawk and hunting knife. 
Everyhing looks nice and tidy. 

Soon dinner was ready. It con- 
sisted of corn bread and milk, eaten 
with a horn spoon. The man ate 
with us, but the woman was employ- 
ed sewing on what appeared to be a 
child's dress. This was a common 
home. But let us stay longer and 
watch the daily life. 

At one end of the room was a 
large opening, some six feet, stoned 
up and two large andirons in the 
opening. Winter comes on. Storms 
howl without, but in that opening 
has been placed some large bull 
loge, and the fire place glows with 
its fervent heat. Over the windows 
has been placed greased cloth or a 
thin skin. If a cloth it has been 
greased to make it more susceptible 
to light. The mother has moulded 
or dipped her tallow candles and has 
a fine supply on hand for winter use. 

The father and all sons old enough 
are out logging, or if in the fall are 
housing the crops. Perhaps one has 
gone to Dansville or Naples with a 



load of lumber or grain and will 
bring back some provisions. He may 
have taken his lumber to Naples 
landing to get $4 per 1000 and take 
even that in supplies for his home or 
take his oats, 40 or 50 bushels to 
Dansville and trade them for a bar- 
rel of salt. He may have gathered 
up his ashes from the log heaps and 
taken them to one of the asheries to 
be turned into potash and traded for 
some needed supplies. There was a 
good ashery near the Terry place on 
North Cohocton road, or he may 
have gathered his choicest wheat 
and taken it to the land office at 
Bath and turned it in to reduce the 
land debt. Found the price of his 
wheat lower or the debt higher than 
expected and returned home dis- 
heartened and discouraged and what 
has the patient wife and mother 
been doing? Dishes washed, chick- 
ens fed, stock looked after. She 
gathers the wool from the shearing, 
cleans, cards, spins, weaves into 
cloth, cuts and makes it into gar- 
ments for her husband and sons for 
the coming winter. Then she looks 
after the flax, brakes it and. carries 
it through all the processes of its 
becoming linen for under and sum- 
mer outer clothing. Perhaps she has 
dyed and colored it, so that it may 
blossom out into a checked linen 
dress and when done it was dearer 
than your silks and satins, for it had 
in it the reward of labor well done. 

I quote "Again one is taken sick. 
They would make a bee, harvest and 
secure his crops, while at the same 
time their own work might be suffer- 
ing. A settler's home burned by ac- 
cident, his family would be provided 
for by his nearest neighbor and all 
would turn out, build and furnish a 
house in a few days, so the man 
could take his family back home." 

It's a winter's evening. A large 
bob-sled is in front of the door, and 



19 



before it are a fine yoke of oxen, per- 
haps two yokes. The family are 
loaded in and before a great distance 
is traveled the large platform above 
the bobs is crowded with a number 
of pioneer families. If for an even- 
ing's visit with a neighbor, no one is 
left out. The 400 are not born yet — 
at any rate not in this region. The 
scripture is fulfilled — "Bear One 
Another's Burdens." Gaiety, 

love, friendship, kiss the evening 
stars in that ride. As one family, 
they journey on to enter the home 
of some settler unbidden. Father, 
mother, sister, brother, lover all 
there. The settler's home is reached. 
The father comes to the door. 
"Mother, they have come." The 
whole family is out with a greeting. 
Even mamma has no perplexity or 
dark clouds flitting across her face 
because they did not tell her they 
were coming. 

The wraps are dumped in the cor- 
ner. The table is shoved back. The 
violin is brought forth. Swain and 
sweetheart, lover and loved, are soon 
ranged in the center of the room. 
Money Musk and Virginia Reel are 
masters of the evening with the 
young hearts, while fathers and 
mothers are ranged about the room 
with the little ones, and all are hap- 
py. Why? Because there is no cast. 
All are poor. Each and all have the 
same object — a home in the wilder- 
ness. Not always poor. They are 
seed sowers. They recognize the 
fact. There has come soon, thirty, 
some sixty, some 100 fold. 

"Princess and Lords may flourish, 
or may fade, 

A breath can make them as a 
breath has made, 

But a bold Yeomanry — their coun- 
try's pride. 

When once destroyed, can never 
be supplied." 

These pioneers sleep in yonder 



cemeteries. How many in rugged 
and uncared for graves. 

There is a picture of Liberty Cor- 
ners before me. There is the Steu- 
ben House, one store with probably 
$150 stock, on the Beehive 
stand, a postoffice, more in 
name than reality, a dozen houses, 
the daily line of stages. Whiskey at 
three cents a glass, one of the staples 
of the community. Contrast it with 
today. So Hearer, contrast the life 
primitive in its simplicity with today 
yet we cry for strenuosity. 

ANTI RENT TROUBLES 

A dark picture always comes in 
the history of this life, and it came 
to our early settlers. The first forty 
years of the county and town's ex- 
istence were years of iron grit and 
labor and discouragement and diffi- 
culties were great. The facts were 
that as they were beginning to pros- 
per and felt that some of their hopes 
in seeking a new home were to be 
realized and they were becoming ac- 
customed to existing surroundings. 
As one says: "After IS 00 many who 
might bought in Ontario or Mon- 
roe counties were induced to come to 
this section. Williamson's balloon of 
promise had enticed them here and 
they had commenced to clear the 
land. Then came the construction of 
the Erie canal, and these people 
found those who had bought where 
they might have gone, with naviga- 
tion and shipment of their crops 
brought to their very door while 
here in Steuben, they had to travel 
miles to dispose of what little they 
did raise. The yield was not abun- 
dant. The proprietary of the land 
contributed to the distress of the 
early purchasers. The price of the 
land and the constantly accumulat- 
ing interest on their contracts creat- 
ed discouragement, and that bred 
discontent with their conditions. 
Titles were questioned, the land 



20 



office doubled and any way sought 
to get out of the situation. They 
began commiserating with one an- 
other. Hence arose the Anti Rent 
convention at Bath, January 19, 
1830. The Cohocton delegates were 
Paul C. Cook, David Weld, Elnathan 
Wing, Peter Haight and Alfred 
Shattuck. 

The convention caused to be sent 
to Col Robert Troup, then agent of 
the Pulteney estate, that the pro- 
prietary take some action for their 
immediate and effectual relief. This 
Memorial was dated January 20, 
183 0, and on the 14th of March fol- 
lowing Col. Troup replied at length 
and suggested a plan of relief. While 
this tended to lessen the burdens it 
did not satisfy their desires. The 
settlers later succeeded in obtaining 
a moderate reduction in the price of 
their lands and the products of their 
farm was accepted as payment of 
principal and interest. Still there 
has ever been expressed a doubt as 
to the propriety of the proceedings 
or whether a substantial or lasting 
gain or benefit was ever received." 

Another dark picture of our an- 
ceators lives is worth recalling. Rev. 
Elisha Bronson, one of the early set- 
tlers of th^ Loon Lake region, unti! 
the formation of Wayland in 18 48, 
a part of this town, who came wita 
his father says: 'That in 1815, 
there was a scarcity of bread. I 
went through the towns of Springwa- 
ter, Livonia and Sparia, and tiience 
to Dansville in search of grain for 
sale, and none was to be had in those 
towns nor in western New York. 
People had to mill green wheat and 
rye for food. I found a field of rye 
on William Perrine's farm, which 
was thought nearly ready to cut. I 
went home and got some neighbors 
and, with oxen and cart, went and 
cut some of it and took it to the mill 
and had it mashed for it was too 



damp to grind, and thought our 
people the happiest people in the 
world because we had bread." 

This and similar incidents came 
along to give to the life of our early 
settlers a little more of life's reali- 
ties. When we think times are going 
against us let us recall some of these 
experiences. 

But other things combined to ef- 
fect a change. 

During the winter of 1851, the 
Buffalo, New York and Erie rail- 
road Company surveyed this route 
for the Erie road as now known, that 
passes through this village and town. 
March 5, 18 52, the ground just south 
of Wilcox & Son's office was broke to 
commence grading. The work was 
rapidly pushed forward, and on 
January 27, 1852, the first train ar- 
rived at what then was called Liberty 
Station. Labor had been going on 
then on this — now branch of the 
Erie — for two years. On the 4th of 
July 1852, the company gave the peo- 
ple a ride from Corning to Wayland 
or vice versa, on platform cars with 
seats built around the sides and dec- 
oratered with evergreens. 

Some of the historians say the 
road was opened in 1852. Others in 
1853. I will not dispute either, but 
the facts were that the road ran 
regular trains from Corning to Way- 
land — a turn table at Wayland dur- 
ing the fall and winter of 1852, and 
to Avon in 1853. 

With the coming of this railroad 
the prospects brigthened. Bloods, 
Liberty, Wallace sprang perhaps, not 
into being, but assumed good forms. 
In fact, Bloods and Wallace were of 
no particular growth until then. In 
fact were nameless as children — and 
it was a question whether the pres- 
ent Wallace or Tucker's would final- 
ly have the station and until Moses 
Wallace offered not only the land 
but the name did our child become 



21 



of importance in the commercial 
world. 
LUMBER BUSINESS AND MILLS 

The clearing of the land and the 
getting of these magnificent farms in 
shape with all the buildings to erect 
made the erection of saw mills at 
one time a very common thing. Let 
us look at a few of them. Would to- 
day we had much of the timber that 
was wasted, yet it was almost a ne- 
cessity to get at the land and fit it 
for crops out of which they could 
pay for the acres they bought. 

I have already spoken of the Cle- 
land saw and grist mills, and of that 
one at Tierney's mill, and at Patch- 
inville and Elisha Bronson's at 
Boneville. 

Jesse McQuigg built a saw mill on 
the Kirkwood stream in an early 
day which he managed for a number 
of years until 1844, when he sold out 
that and his store at North Cohocton 
and moved to Missouri. There was 
at one time a saw mill on the oppo- 
site side of the river from Kiefer's 
mill operated by one Dubois. 

There was built near the present 
site of the Kiefer mill a woolen and 
carding mill by Daniel H. Davis, 
which was afterwards purchased by 
the firm of Pedmore & Dantz. This 
was purchased by Richard Trenman, 
who had a tannery there for a time, 
and in 1882, purchased by Charles 
Kiefer, turned into a feed mill, and 
now operated by him. 

Franklin Larrowe built in 1854, a 
large saw mill on the present site of 
the slaughter house of Foults Bros. 
It was operated by him and others 
for a number of years, then stood va- 
cant for a while, and now does ser- 
vice as a slaughter house. 

Eleazer Tucker had a saw mill on 
Twelve Mile Creek opposite his 
house. For many years he operated 
the mill and ran a hotel. 

Job Tripp built a mill where the 



road which runs along the race 
north east of the present residence 
of M. H. Wilcox. Sixty years ago 
there was a saw mill near the late 
home of Chas. Ferris, south of 
Veeder's, built by Benjamin S. Hoag. 

Peter Martin built a mill about 
one-fourth mile north, which was 
later known as the William 
Fogal mill at the foot of Brown Hill 
near the farm house of Bion Slayton. 
John Evans owned it at one time and 
was killed there. 

J. D. Peterson built a mill in 1858 
on the Frank Wager farm. Aaron 
Saxton the same year built a mill on 
the present site of the Charles Mehl- 
enbacher farm in Oil Well Hollow. 

Joshua Miner built a steam saw 
mill in 18 50, just beyond St. Paul's 
Lutheran church near the present 
residence of George Shoultice, Sr. 
This mill Calvin E. Thorp success- 
fully carried on for a number of 
years. 

After the David Parmenter mill 
was burned in 1829, which stood 
just north of the present Larrowe 
Millig Co.'s site, there was a grist 
mill built in 1840, by N. B. Chase. 
It was sold to David H. Wilcox in 
1850. Was at one time owned by 
Daniel H. Davis. A carding mill in 
the early days stood near. During 
Wilcox's ownership a large addition 
was built on the grist mill in 1854, 
and the year before, in 1853, he built 
just south of the grist mill a saw 
mill. 

In 18 66, Albertus Larrowe bought 
both mills and made extensive re- 
pairs on tne grist mill. Mr. Larrowe 
operated it as a custom mill, making 
also a specialty of buckwheat fiour, 
which later became his only prdouct. 

In 1890, the Larrowe Milling Co., 
was organized and the mills 
thoroughly overhauled and enlarged. 
New anrl up-to-date machinery put 
in. Now its capacity is 800 to 1000 



22 



barrels of flour every twenty-four 
hours, with shipments extending to 
the Pacific coast and all between. 

Many other small mills were to be 
found in an early day at different 
points in the town, yet it was not 
until about 1854, that the lumber 
business took a boom. 

In that year H. D. Graves, F. N. 
Drake and Harrison Harvey came 
from LeRoy to Cohocton and entered 
into co-partnership for the manu- 
facturing and dealing in lumber un- 
der the firm name of H. D. Graves & 
Co. Their first mill was built on the 
Loon Lake road about 10 rods above 
W. H. Clark's farm. Some time af- 
ter Z. Waterman became a partner 
and Graves and Harvey retired. Mr. 
Waterman only remained a short 
time, leaving F. Ni Drake the sole 
owner. 

In 18 61, he invited George W. 
Drake and Thomas Warner to make 
him a visit and join in their favorite 
sport of trout fishing. This they 
accepted and during the excursion 
became satisfied that there was more 
money in lumber than in the hard- 
ware business, in which they were 
then engaged at LeRoy. Mr. Warner 
and Mr. Drake both became members 
of the firm of F. N. Drake & Co., and 
consited of Franklin N. Drake, Geo. 
W. Drake and Thomas Warner. They 
purchased the former Cleland mill, 
then known as the Davis mill. They 
also built a large steam mill at Wal- 
lace, which was managed for a num- 
ber of years by Dewitt Hill. 

At one time in its history, the firm 
of F. N. Drake & Co., operated six 
mills and its annual output was over 
fifteen million feet of lumber — pine 
and hemlock. They were in business 
during the Civil war and prices were 
high. The mill near Clark's was 
moved in 1862 to Newman's, and 
later to Lent Hill near the Fronk 
place. 



In 1866, the firm was dissolved, 
both the Drakes retiring, leaving 
Thomas Warner the sole owner. In 
1868, the mill was moved from Lent 
Hill to the present site of the Wilcox 
& Son mill, where Mr. Warner car- 
ried on the business. During the 
time of Mr. Warner's control of 
these mills he disbursed large sums 
of money, giving employment to 
many men. All telling for the pros- 
perity of Cohocton. 

He built two stores, the building 
on the corner of Maple Avenue and 
North Main street, also the present 
McDowell block occupied by the 
T. R. Harris Co., in company with 
Harris Bros & Co., who built the 
hardware part, now owned by Ella 
W. Harris and occupied by George 
W. Peck Co. 

MILLS AT ATLANTA 

A mill was built at Atlanta in 
1852, of which Jerry W. Pierce came 
into possession about 1859. He 
completed the grist mill which he 
carried on until his death in 1866. 
This was sold to O. Ingraham in 
1880, and to David S. Waite in 1882. 
It was burned in 1884. 

Atlanta was then and until 189 6, 
without a grist mill. In that year 
John C. Spencer and Lester Hall, 
under the firm name of Spencer & 
Hall built the present Atlanta Roller 
Mills. The firm was dissolved and 
vv^as operated by John C. Spencer 
until 1906, when it was purchased 
by Floyd E. Adair, and has been 
operated by him. 

There was a small feed mill own- 
ed by Byron Hayes before 1896, 
then they got machinery from Rog- 
ersville and put it in the building. 
All was burned in 1900. In 1901, 
he built the Hayes mill. 

About 1876, Danks & Tucker built 
a saw and planing mill near the 
Brie railroad in the northern part of 
the village. Later it was sold to 



23 



George Smith and finally came into 
D. S. Waite's possession and prac- 
tically in 1896 passed out of exis- 
entce. 

THE DISTILLERY 
I have already told you of the 
brewery that Cohocton had. But Co- 
hocton has had at least one dis- 
tillery. Soon after the erection of 
the Cleland grist mill. Rudolphus 
Howe and J. Danforth bought 
an acre of land of Jonah Cleland and 
built a distillery, about fifteen rods 
south east of the grist mill, a little 
back from the East river bank. Mr. 
Howe then lived in Tripnock and was 
ihe father of Paul C. Howe, who 
moved years ago to Prattsburg and 
started the Prattsburg News. Mr. 
Danforth was proprietor of the Steu- 
ben House and sold it to Constant 
Cook. The distillery was built about 
1815. Jonah Cleland owned an in- 
terest in this distillery, which con- 
tinued in businesss down to 1833. So 



John inserted a stick, stirred it vig- 
orously, succeeded in getting a 
little out, which John admitted had 
a slight whiskey taste, yet he ex- 
pressed the opinion that it ought to 
be boiled down in order to make it 
what it should be. He accordingly 
proceeded to boil a quantity of it 
until it was about two-thirds boiled 
away, when on tasting it he declared 
it water pure and simple, even the 
flavor of whiskey having entirely dis- 
appered." 

In that day whiskey sold for three 
cents per glass, but probably all the 
present decorations were not known, 
and so your whiskey was not then 
made in twenty-four hours. 

When we take the fact that even 
in Vermont a friend of mine, when a 
boy, took saddle ba'gs and striding a 
horse, went for whiskey for a minis- 
ter's meeting, in addition to the kind 
they had, it will account for much 
of that kind of habits, many of the 



the temperance element are to be old settlers had. Northern dis- 



c'dratulated on its downfall, as a 
search-light fails to reveal any at 
this day. Yet, I halt, for in its day, 
the whiskey was new and not forty 
years whiskey, made within three 
months. Evidently a better stock and 
only cost three cents per glass. 

I repeat a story told. 

"Abram Lent, for whom Lent Hill 
was named, and his brother, John, 
were logging in the woods on the 
Dewey farm, now owned by John 
Schwingel, the weather being bitter 
cold, it was proposed that one of 
then should take a jug and get it 
filled with Jonah's best whiskey. 
This was done by Abram, but on his 
return the whiskey refused to come 
out of the jug and on examination 
it was found to be frozen. John ac- 
cused Abram of playing a joke upon 
him of drinking up the whiskey and 
filling the jug with water. Abram 
insisted that it was "Cleland's best". 



tilleries are today becoming a thing 
of the past. 

ASHERIES 

Many of the younger generation 
probably do not know much about 
asher^jj. In my younger days I 
used lJ see them and remember a 
large box on a wagon in which a 
man came and took all my mother 
had of hard wood ashes, after mak- 
ing her annual soap,, paying 10 or 
12 cents per bushel. In the early 
days the seller took the tree and if 
sound generally preserved up to the 
first limb and took the rest with all 
the limbs and branches rolled into 
an immense log heap, burnt until ail 
was reduced to ashes. This heap 
of ashes lead to the formation of 
asheries in different parts of tlie 
town. 

One of the asheries stood on what 
was known as the Monier farm just 
west of North Cohocton highway 



24 



this side of the Terry place. 

Another stood on the Deusenbery 
farm on a line betwen Cleland and 
Deusenbery in the southern part of 
the present town. A pile of ashes 
there reveal its location if you look 
for it. Fred Henry used to gather 
ashes and sell potash in an early day 
tor this ashery. 
ORGANIZATION OP THE TOWN 

The town of Cohocton was formed 
June 12, 1812, from the older towns 
of Bath and Dansville and is des- 
cribed as follows: Beginning at the 
north west corner of the town of 
Prattsburg; thence west to the north 
west corner of township No. 6 in the 
fifth range; thence to the south west 
corner of said township; thence 
south to the north west corner of 
of Lot No. 7 0, in township No. 5 m 
the fifth range; thence east to the 
west line of township No. 5, in the 
fourth range; thence north on said 
west line to the center line of town- 
ship No. 4 in the fifth range; thence 
east to the south west corner of the 
township of Prattsburg; thence 
north on to the west line of Pratts- 
burg to the place of beginning. This 
included from the old toll gate near 
Dansville, including Loon Lake 
region to the New Mill road near 
W. H. Cotton's residence in the now 
town of Avoca. 

Part of Avoca was later taken off 
in 18 43, and Wayland in 1848. 

In 187 4, we got a slice from 
Prattsburg which included from the 
middle of the hill William James' 
west line to near Lyons Hollow or in 
reality to Twelve Mile Creek. 

The first town meeting was held 
March 2, 1813, at the home of 
Joseph Shattuck, Jr. — the now Stan- 
ton house, or April 27, 1813, as the 
county histories have it. My reason 
for knowing this date is that I have 
the town records from 1813 to 1839, 
Vv'hich two histories of the county say 



are lost and another that, they are 
burned. All of which is another 
brain creation. 

The first town ofl^cers elected 
were : 

Samuel D. Wells, Supervisor. 

Charles Bennett, Town Clerk. 

Stephen Crawford, John Slack 
and William Bennett, Assessors. 

Jared Parr, John Woodard and 
Isaac Hall, Commissioners of High- 
ways. 

John Slack and Samuel D. Wells,, 
Poor blasters. 

James Barnard, Collector. 

James Barnard and Isaac Parmen- 
ter Constables. 

James Griffith, Jr., and Thomas 
Rogers, Fence Viewers. 

Samuel D. Wells, Pathmaster, 
Beat 1, begins at town line and goes 
to school house by Conley's. 

Seth Kellogg, Pathmaster, Beat 2, 
beginning at said house and goes 
to South bank of Kirkwood Creek. 

Daniel Raymond, Beat 3, begin- 
ing at said creek and goes to the 
bridge at Chamberlain's. 

James Griffith, Beat 4. beginning 
at said bridge and goes to north line 
of Jonah Cleland's lot (taking in the 
north and south main streets. 

Jonah Cleland, Beat 5, beginning 
at the said line and to the old mill 
place south of Deusenbery's. 

Jonathan Danforth, Beat 6, be- 
ginning at said mill place and goes 
to the town line. 

Stephen Crawford, Beat 7. 

Drake Beat 8. 

Elisha Bronson Beat 9. 

Levi Smith Beat 10, beginning at 
town line and goes to school house 
near Joseph Shattuck's farm. 

The following resolutions were 
passed at the said town meeting: 

Voted that the town give $5.00 for 
each wolf. Voted that the town give 
310.00 for each panther. Voted that 
hogs may run under the restriction 



25 



of the law. 

Voted the Town Clerk shall pro- 
cure books necessary for the town, 
and pay for the same. 

Voted that the town submit to the 
Supervisors respecting the raising of 
money for the use of the highways. 

Voted that the next town meeting 
be held at the home of Joseph Shat- 
tuck. 

These are all the resolutions and 
the manner of their wording at Co- 
hocton's first town meeting. 

At a special town meeting held 
October 2, 1813, Jonas Cleland was 
chosen Town Clerk, and Darius Hill, 
constable. 

The records show that the regular 
town meetings were held on the first 
Tuesday of March down to 1840, 
when they were changed to the sec- 
Tuesday of Feby. The reason being 
too many were liable to be away on 
rafts down the river, that the date 
was moved back a month. 

The town meetings were held at 
Shattuck's hotel (Steuben House 
now) or at the school house, a few 
times at Bloods' Hotel, North Cohoc- 
ton. Later at Caleb Crouch's hotel 
(or Warner House site) until the 
erection of the Warner House in 
1883, when they were held in the 
Opero House for years down to the 
erection of the Engine House and 
the division of the town into dis- 
tricts, since which time they have 
been held in Engine House, Shults 
Hall, and either Waite Opera House 
at Atlanta or Wetmore Hall at North 
Cohocton. Now with two districts. 
Disrict No. 1, in the Engine House, 
and District No. 2, in Waite Opera 
House and Wetmore Hall alternate- 
ly. 

I quote a few of the resolutions 
recorded in the town records. At 
the town meeting in 1814, I found in 
addition to bounties already quoted, 
$5 offered for each wolf, and $10 for 



each panther, there was a bounty of 
$1 for each wild cat. 

In 1814, I find another resoution 
which I leave you to solve, knowing 
the solution myself. "Resolved, that 
no cattle be allowed to run within 
15 rods of any public house or grist 
mill from the 1st of December to the 
1st day of April under penalty of $1 
for each offense." 

In 1825 this was extended to cover 
in front of stores and the limit was 
one-half mile. 

In 1815, voted that swine shall not 
be allowed to run without a good 
and sufficient yoke and being proper- 
ly rung. 

Hogs taken up without a good and 
sufficient yoke the owner shall pay 
12 cents to the constable. 

In 1819, voted that it shall be a 
fine of $4.00 for any man to suffer 
any Canada thistle or Tory weed to 
go to seed on his land or in the high- 
way adjoining his land in the town 
of Cohocton. 

In 1816, I found that $75 was vot- 
ed for the support of the poor, and so 
nearly every year, the amounts vary- 
ing. 

In 1818, voted that the town raise 
as much money as the law will al- 
low for the common school. 

In 1819, voted we raise money to 
build a pound and that it be forty 
feet square. 

In 1821, voted that if any person 
suffer his cattle to run in the sugar 
bush it shall be at his own risk. 

In 1822, swine were forbidden to 
run in the highways. 

Until 1831, the records are barren 
of the election of a Justice of the 
Peace. At the town meeting that 
year William Bennett was elected. 

In 18G4, there seems to have been 
some trouble over the highway la- 
bor, as the town meeting that year 
passed the following: 

Voted that the Commissioner of 

26 



Highways be required to prosecute 
every overseer of highways (path- 
master) who fails to discharge his 
duties according to highway law. 

I could refer to many more town 
actions that would be of interest. 
Outside of the Civil war bounty acts, 
I shall pass by the others. 

1813, Samuel D. Wells, Super- 
visor. Chas. Bennett, Town Clerk. 

1814, Samuel D. Wells, Super- 
visor. Jonas Cleland, Town Clerk. 
Peter Haight, Collector. 

1815, Samuel D. Wells, Super- 
visor. James Barnard, Town Clerk. 
Peter Haight, Collector. 

1816, Samuel D. Wells, Super- 
visor. John Bennett, Jr., Town Clerk. 
Peter Haight, Collector. 

1817, John Slack, Supervisor. 
Peter Haight, Town Clerk. George 
W. Haight, Collector. 

1818, John Slack, Supervisor. 
John Bennett, Jr., Town Clerk. John 
Slack Justice of the Pe-.ce. Daniel 
Cooley, Collector. 

1819, John Slack, Supervisor. 
Peter Haight, Town Clerk. John 
Bennett, Justice of the Peace. 
Lucius Shattuck, Collector. 

1820, John Slack, Supervisor. 
Paul C. Cook, Town Clerk. Lucius 
Shattuck, Justice of the Peace. 

1821, John Slack, Supervisor. 
Paul C. Cook, Town Clerk. Caleb 
Crouch, Justice of the Peace. James 
Conn, Collector. 

1822, Paul C. Cook, Supervisor. 
Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk. Her- 
man Bowen, Collector. 

1823, Lucius Shattuck, Town 
Clerk. Herman Bowen, Collector. 

1824, Lucius Shattuck, Town 
Clerk. Herman Bowen, Collector. 

1825, Lucius Shattuck, Town 
Clerk. Clark Kenyon, Collector. 

182 6, Lucius Shattuck, Town 
Clerk. Clark Kenyon, Collector. 

1827, David Weld, Supervisor. 
Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk. 



1828, David Weld, Supervisor. 
Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk. Con- 
stant Cook, Collector. 

1829, Paul C. Cook, Supervisor. 
Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk. Clark 
Kenyon, Collector. 

1830, Paul C. Cook, Supervisor. 
Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk. 
Peter Haight, Justice of the Peace. 
Herman Eggleston, Collector. 

1831, David Weld, Supervisor. Ca- 
leb Crouch, Town Clerk. W. Bennett, 
Justice of the Peace. Herman Eggles- 
ton, Collector. 

1832, Paul C. Cook, Supervisor. 
Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk. Paul 

C. Cook, Justice of the Peace. Her- 
man Eggleston, Collector. 

1833, Paul C. Cook, Supervisor. 
Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk. Job 
Nichoson, Justice of the Peace. 
Benjamin D. Briggs, Collector. 

1834, Paul C. Cook, Supervisor. 
Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk. 
Thomas A. • Bowles Justice of the 
Peace. Samuel Chamberlain, Collec- 
tor. 

1835, Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk. 
John Hess, Justice of the Peace. 
Jesse P. Brace, Collector. 

183 6,Alexander S. Palmer, Sup- 
ervisor; Lucius Shattuck, Town 
Clerk; Jesse P. Brace, Justice of the 
Peace; Almon Eggleston, Collector. 

183 7, Paul C. Cook, Supervisor; 
Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk; John 
Nichoson, Justice of the Peace; Benj. 

D. Briggs, Collector. 

1838, Paul C. Cook, Supervisor; 
Benj. P. Abner, Town Clerk; Simeon 
Holmes, Justice of the Peace; Hi- 
ram Dewey, Collector. 

183 9, Calvin Blood, Supervisor; 
Paul C. Cook, Town Clerk; Myron 
Patchin, Justice of the Peace; 
Henry Noble, Collector. 

1840, John Hess, Supervisor; 
Thomas Hendryx, Town Clerk; Con- 
stant Cook, Justice of the Peace; Al- 
mon Eggleston, Collector. 



27 



1841, John Hess, Supervisor; 
Jesse P. Brace, Town Clerk; Freder- 
ick Blood, Jr., Justice of the Peace; 
Lawrence S. Borden, Collector. 

1842, Paul C. Cook, Supervisor; 
Jesse P. Brace, Town Clerk; Dan'l 
H. Davis, Juestice of the Peace; 
Lawrence S. Borden, Collector. 

1843, John Hess, Supervisor; 
James Draper, Town Clerk; Myron 
M. Patchin, Justice of the Peace; 
Silas Hulburt, Collector. 

1844, John Hess, Supervisor; 
James Draper, Town Clerk; Jesse 
McQuigg, Justice of the Peace; 
Silas Hulburt, Collector. 

1845, Calvin Blood, Supervisor; 
James Draper, Town Clerk; Frank 
Blood, Jr., Justice of the Peace; 
Hiram Dewey, Collector. 

1846, Sephman Flint, Supervisor; 
Henry G. Blood, Town Clerk; C. J. 
McDowell, Justice of the Peace; 
Joseph Crouch, Collector. 

1847, M. M. Patchin,. Supervisor; 
James Draper, Town Clerk; Myron 
M. Patchin Justice of the Peace; 
A. W. Chase, Collector. 

1848, John Hess Supervisor; 
James Draper, Town Clerk; Nelson 
Thorp, Justice of the Peace; A. W. 
Chase, Collector. 

1849, Sephman Flint, Sppervisor; 
Walter M. Eldred, Town Clerk; 
W. W. Waite, Justice of the Peace, 
Levi C. Chase, vacancy; A. W. Chase, 
Collector. 

1850, C. J. McDowell, Supervisor; 
Austin Hall, Town Clerk; Walter M. 
Eldred, Justice of the Peace; A. W. 
Chase, Collector. 

1851, C. J. McDowell, Supervisor; 
S. D. Shattuck, Town Clerk; Samuel 
G. Fowler, Justice of the Peace, 
E. L. Bradley, vacancy; Chas. J. 
Rosenkrans, Collector. 

1852, C. J. McDowell, Supervisor; 
Lucius Shattuck, Town Clerk; Aus- 
tin Hall, Justice of the Peace; Chas. 
J. Rosenkrans, Collector. 



1853, David H. Wilcox, Super- 
visor; S. D. Shattuck, Town Clerk; 
Frederick Blood, Jr., Justice of the 
Peace; Minor T. Conley, Collector. 

1854, C. J. McDowell, Supervisor; 
A. W. Chase, Town Clerk; James F. 
Blood, Justice of the Peace; Geo. A. 
Haight, Collector. 

1855, Albertus Larrowe, Super- 
visor; Andrew W. Moore, Town 
Clerk; Edmund Finch, Justice of 
the Peace; George F. Mead, Collec- 
tor. 

18 56, Albertus Larrowe, Super- 
visor; Andrew W. Moore, Town 
Clerk; Thomas S. Crosby, Justice of 
the Peace; George F. Mead, Collec- 
tor. 

18 57, Franklin Larrowe, Super- 
visor; Austin Hall, Town Clerk; 
I. H. Nichoson, Justice of the Peace; 
George F. Mead, Collector. 

1858, James Draper, Supervisor; 
Lonard D. Connor, Town Clerk; 
Asa Adams, vacancy, James F. 
Wood, Justice of the Peace. 

1859, S. D. Shattuck, Supervisor; 
Austin Hall, Town Clerk; Edmund 
Finch, Justicce of the Peace; Geo. 
W. Haight, Collector. 

ISGO, David H. Wilcox, Supervis- 
or; J. H. Stanley, Town Clerk; 
Thomas Crosby, Justice of the 
Peace; George W. Haight, Collector. 

1861, David H. Wilcox, Supervis- 
or; Austin Hall, Town Clerk; Asa 
Adams, Justice of the Peace; Lyman 
H. Day, Collector. 

1862, David H. Wilcox, Supervis- 
or; E. S. Carpenter, Town Clerk; 
S. G. Fowler, vacancy, James F. 
Wood, Justice of the Peace; William 
Washburn, Collector. 

1S63, Franklin N. Drake, Super- 
visor; E. S. Carpenter, Town Clerk; 
W. W. Waite, Justice of the Peace; 
S. D. Shattuck, Collector. 

1864, David H. Wilcox, Supervis- 
or; E. S. Carpenter, Town Clerk; 
Thomas S. Crosbv, Justice of the 



28 



Peace; William Washburn, Collec- 
tor. 

1865, John H. Butler, Supervisor; 
Austin Hall, Town Clerk; Asa 
Adams, Justice of the Peace; J. D. 
Hendryx, Collector. 

1866, John H. Butler, Supervisor; 
Chas. H. Beyer, Town Clerk; James 
F. Wood, Justice of the Peace; Chas. 
Tripp, Jr., Collector. 

1867, Calvin B. Thorp, Supervis- 
or; Austin Hall, Town Clerk; G. W. 
Hewitt, Justice of the Peace; Chas. 
Tripp, Jr., Collector. 

18 68, Stephen D. Shattuck Super- 
visor; Marcus S. Harris, Town 
Clerk; Ithel H. Nichoson, Justice of 
the Peace; Samuel S. Rosenkrans, 
Collector. 

1869, Stephen D. Shattuck, Super- 
visor; Marcus S. Harris, Town 
Clerk; Asa Adams, Justice of the 
Peace; Samuel Street, Jr., Collector. 

1870, Stephen D. Shattuck, Super- 
visor; Carl H. Wilcox, Town Clerk; 
Marcus S Harris, Justice of the 
Peace; Tyler J. Briggs, Collector. 

1871, Ira M. Tripp, Supervisor; 
Rodney B. Harris, Town Clerk; 
Albertus Larrowe, Justice of the 
Peace; Tyler J. Briggs, Collector. 

1872, Stephen D. Shattuck, Super- 
visor; Albert T. Parkhill, Town 
Clerk; Aetna M. Davis, Justice of 
the Peace; Francis G. Tripp, Collec- 
tor. 

1873, Thomas Warner, Supervis- 
or; Edwin A. Draper, Town Clerk; 
Asa Adams, Justice of the Peace; 
James C Green, Collector. 

1874, Thomas Warner, Supervis- 
or; Edwin A. Draper, Town Clerk; 
Hiram Wygant, Justice of the Peace; 
James C. Green, Collector. 

1875, James P. Clark, Supervisor; 
Edwin A. Draper, Town Clerk; Jas- 
per Partridge, Justice of the Peace; 
James C. Green, Collector. 

1876, Orange S. Searl, Supervisor; 
H. C. Lddiard, Town Clerk; C. W. 



Stanton, Justice of the Peace, Jasper 
Partridge vacancy; Chas. E. Hall, 
Collector. 

1877, Myron W. Harris, Supervis- 
or; J. M. Reynolds, Town Clerk; 
Charles Sheldon, Justice of the 
Peace; James H. Moulton, Collector. 

1878, Byron A. Tyler, Supervisor; 
J. M. Reynolds, Town Clerk; Thomas 
S. Crosby, Justice of the Peace; John 
Robinson, Collector. 

1879, Myron W. Harris, Supervis- 
or; Peter J. Rocker, Town Clerk; 
Frank C. Fowler, Justice of the 
Peace, E. Finch, vacancy; Wallace 
Wagner, Collector. 

1880, Myron W. Harris, Supervis- 
or; Peter J. Rocker, Town Clerk; 
George W. Cooley, Justice of the 
Peace; Seth A. Hill, Collector. 

1881, Calvin B. Thorp, Supervisor; 
Samued D. Parmenter; Town Clerk; 
George W. Ardell, Justice of the 
Peace, F. ;B. Beecher, vacancy 
Henry C. Tripp, Collector. 

1882, Dwight Weld, Supervisor; 
Edwin A. Draper, Town Clerk; Chas. 
E. Hall, Justice of the Peace; John 
VanAlstyne, Collector. 

1883, Dwight Weld, Supervisor; 
Henry Finch, Town Clerk; Frank C. 
Fowler, Justice of the Peace, J. L. 
Waugh vacancy; George E. Wagner, 
Collector. 

1884, James M. Reynolds, Super- 
visor; Henry Finch, Town Clerk; 
James B. Slayton, Justice of the 
Peace, B R. Streety, vacancy; John 
Partridge, Collector. 

1885, Asa McDowell, Supervisor; 
W. E. Adair, Town Clerk; Harrison 
Briglin, Justice of the Peace; Murry 
Tripp, Collector. 

1886, William T Slattery, Super- 
visor; Henry Maichle, Town Clerk; 
J. Leonard Waugh, Justice of the 
Peace; W. T. Cornish, Collector. 

1887, Calvin E. Thorp, Supervis- 
or; Jam.es Fox, Town Clerk; Noyes 
K. Fowler, Justice of the Peace; 



29 



Burr Edmond, Collector. 

1888, Hiram W. Hatch, Supervis- 
or; Chas E. Crosby, Town Clerk; 
Henry Maichle, Justice of the Peace; 
John P. Cronk, Collector. 

1889, Charles Oliver, Supervisor; 
Chas. E. Crosby, Town Clerk; H. 
Briglin, Justice of the Peace; Jacob 
Schweitzer, Collector. 

1890, Dwight Weld, Supervisor; 
Charles E. Crosby, Town Clerk; 
W. W. Jackson, Justice of the Peace; 
James C. Wetmore, Collector. 

1891, Albert H. Wilcox, Supervis- 
or; Charles E. Crosby, Town Clerk; 
Noyes K. Fowler, Justice of the 
Peace; Harvey Noble, Collector. 

1892, Albert H. Wilcox, Supervis- 
or; Andrew E. Shults, Town Clerk; 
J. Leonard Waugh, Justice of the 
Peace; L. R. Partridge, Collector. 

1893, Hyatt C. Hatch, Supervisor; 
Samuel D. Parmenter, Town Clerk; 
Joel J Crouch, Justice of the 
Peace; Henry Finch, Collector. 

1894, Hyatt C. Hatch, Supervisor; 
Henry Finch, Town Clerk; Edwin A. 
Draper, Justice of the Peace; Albert 
L. Corey, Collector. 

1895, Hyatt C. Hatch, Supervisor; 
Henry Finch, Town Clerk; Chas. B. 
Stoddard, Justice of the Peace; 
Eugene B. Slayton, Collector. 

1896, Albert H. Wilcox, Supervis- 
or; Ira L. Goff, Town Clerk; Web- 
ster Edmunds, Justice of the Peace; 
Friend Bowles, Collector. 

1897, Albert H. Wilcox, Supervis- 
or; Henry C. Pierce, Justice of the 
Peace; Fred A. Tobias, Collector. 

1898, W. E. Otto, Supervisor; 
Stephen D. Shattuck, Town Clerk; 
Henry Maichle, Justice of the Peace; 
Eugene R. Briggs, Collector. 

1899, W. E. Otto, Supervisor; 
Stephen D. Shattuck, Town Clerk; 
Henry Maichle, Justice of the Peace; 
Eugene R. Briggs, Collector. 

1900, Eugene B. Slayton, Super- 
visor; Stephen D. Shattuck, Town 



Clerk; J. Leonard Waugh, Justice of 
the Peace; Henry Finch, Collector. 

1901, Eugene B. Slayton, Super- 
visor; Stephen D. Shattuck, Town 
Clerk; L. R. Partridge, Justice of the 
Peace; Henry Finch, Collector. 

1902, Eugene B. Slayton, Super- 
visor; Edwin S. Brown, Town Clerk; 
F. A. Tobias, Justice of the Peace; 
Henry Marsh, Collector. 

1903, Eugene B. Slayton, Super- 
visor; Edwin S. Brown, Town Clerk; 
H. Wheaton, Justice of the Peace; 
Henry Marsh, Collector. 

1904, Willis E. Waite, Supervisor; 
Edwn S. Brown, Town Clerk; Web- 
ster Edmunds, Justice of the Peace; 
Henry Marsh, Collector. 

19 05, Willis E. Waite, Supervisor; 
Edwin S. Brown, Town Clerk; Wes- 
ley Bush, Justice of the Peace; 
Henry Marsh, Collector. 

1906, Willis E. Waite, Supervisor; 
Fred W. Snyder, Town Clerk; J. 
Leonard Waugh, Justice of the 
Peace; Henry Finch, Collector. 

19 07, Willis E. Waite, Supervisor; 
Fred W. Snyder, Town Clerk; H. 
Wheaton, Justice of the Peace; 
Henry Finch, Collector. 

1908, Albert H. Wilcox; Fred W. 
Snyder; N. J. Wagner, Justice of the 
Peace; Alpha H. Lewis, Collector. 

lOCr-, Albert H. Wilcox, Supervis- 
or; Fred W. Snyder, Town Clerk; 
R. P. Moulton, Justice of the Peace; 
Alpha H. Lewis, Collector. 

1910-11 Albert H Wilcox. Super- 
visor; Fred W. Snyder, Town Clerk; 
J. Leonard Waugh, A. McWatters, 
Justices of the Peace; Alpha H. 
Lewis, Collector. 

1813, Jared Parr, John Wood- 
ard, Isaac Hall, Commissioner of 
Highways; Stephen Crawford, John 
Slack, William Bennett, Assessors. 

1814, Samuel D. Wells, Isaac Hall, 
William Bennett, Commissioners of 
Highways; Samuel Rhodes, F. 
Blakely, John Slack, Assessors. 

30 



1815, Edward Dunn, Samuel D. 
Wells, Horace Fowler, Commission- 
ers of Highways; Jared Parr, Jona- 
than Parks, Edward Markham, As- 
sessors. 

1816, David Fowler, Timothy 
Sheman, Sylvester Halliday, Commis- 
sioners of Highways; Jonas Cleland, 
Jonathan Parks, Salmon Bronson, 
Assessors. 

1817, Blisha Bronson, David Par- 
menter, Daniel Bacon, Commission- 
ers of Highways; Salmon Bronson, 
Benjamin Haight, Jonathan Parks, 
Assessors. ^ 

1818, Horace Fowler, W. Bennett, 
Peter Haight, Commissioners of 
Highways; Chas. Oliver, Benjamin 
Haight, Samuel D. Wells, Assessors. 

1819-1820, Horace Fowler, Geo. 
Frederick, Sylvan us Brownell, Com- 
missioners of Highways; Charles 
Oliver, Benjamin Haight, Amos 
Knowlton, Assesssors. 

1821, Eleazer Tucker, Edward 
Dunn, Abijah Fowler, Commission- 
ers of Highways; Samuel D. Wells, 
Sylvester Halliday, Isaac Hall, As- 
sessors. 

1822, Jonathan Parks, Alexander 
D. Wells, Horace Fowler, Commis- 
sioners of Highways; Duty Waite 
Constant Cook, Josiah Pond, Assess- 
ors. 

1823, Horace Fowler, Jacob 
Wright, John Woodard, Commission- 
ers of Highways; Duty Waite, Con- 
stant Cook, Josiah Pond, Assessors. 

182 4, Jonathan Parks, Abijah 
Fowler, Thomas A. Bowles, Commis- 
sioners of Highways; Duty Waite, 
Constant Cook, Josiah Pond, Assess- 
ors. 

1825, Edw. Marcum, Abijah Fow- 
ler, Thomas. A. Bowles, Commission- 
ers of Highvv-ays; Duty Waite, Con- 
stant Cook, Josiah Pond, Assessors. 

182^1, Benona Danks, Eleazer 
Tucker, Peter Haight, Commissioners 
of Highways; Edward Marcum, Con- 



stant Cook, Duty Waite, Assessors. 

1827, James Barnard, Richard 
Crouch, Edward Dunn, Commission- 
ers of Highways; Duty Waite, Josi- 
ah Pond, Isaac Hall, Assessors. 

1828, Thomas A. Bowles, Horace 
Fowler, Frederick Harter, Commis- 
sioners of Highways; Constant Cook, 
•Duty Waite, David Joslen, Assess- 
ors. 

1829, James Barnard, Eleazer 
Monroe, George Frederick, Commis- 
sioners of Highways; Thomas A. 
Bowles, John Larrowe, John Hess, 
Assesssors. 

1830, James Wallace, Seth B. 
Cady, Alfred Shattuck, Commission- 
ers of Highways; John Hess, John 
Larrowe, Thomas A. Bowles, Assess- 
ors. 

1831, Job Tripp, Jonathan Parks, 
Alexander D. Wells, Commissioners 
of Highways; Thomas A. Bowles, 
John Larrowe, Janiel Jasper, Assess- 
ors. 

18 32, Isaac Hall, Gardner Pierce, 
Benona Danks, Commissioners of 
Highways; Duty Waite, William 
Walker, John Hess, Assessors. 

1833, Gardner Pierce, Benona 
Danks, Isaac Hall, Commissioners 
of Highways; John Hess, Thomas A. 
Bowles, Daniel H. Davis, Assessors. 

1834, Gardner Pierce, W. Walker, 
James Wallace, Commissioners of 
Highways; John Hess, Stephen 
Flint, Thomas A. Bowles, Assessors. 

1835, W. Bronson, Benona Danks, 
Barnabas C. Hatch, Commissioners 
of Highways; Thomas. A. Bowles, 
Gardner Pierce, Stephen Flint, As- 
sessors. 

1836, Samuel Raymond, Abram 
Lent, George Frederick, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Joseph Rosen- 
krans, John Hess, Thos. A. Bowles, 
Assessors. 

18 37, Abram Lent, Benjamin War- 
ner, Christopher Cooper, Commis- 
sioners of Highways; Thomas A. 



31 



Bowles, Joseph Rosenkrans, Gardner 
Pierce, Assessors. 

1838, William Bronson, Job Tripp, 
Richard Moulton, Commissioners of 
Highways; John Hess, William 
Walker, Hiram Spaulding, Assessors. 

1839, James Wallace, Abram 
Lent, Rodman Potter, Commission- 
ers of Highways; William W. 
Waite, William Walker, William 
Bronson, Assessors. 

1840, Rodman Potter, Hiram 
Spaulding, Job Tripp, Commissioners 
of Highways; Frederick Blood, Chas. 
W. Bronson, Simeon Holmes, Assess- 
ors. 

1841, Job Tripp, Hiram Spaulding, 
Rodman Potter, Commissioners of 
Highways; Chas. W. Bronson, 
Abram Waugh, Simeon Holmes, As- 
sessors. 

1842, Abijah Fowler, Warren 
Patchin, Jr., Abram Lent, Commis- 
sioners of Highways; Stehen Flint, 
Gardner Pierce, Abram Waugh, As- 
sessors. 

1843, Jerry W. Pierce, Richard 
Tucker, Salmon H. Palmer, Commis- 
sioners of Highways; Abram Waugh, 
C J. McDowell, Marcus Peck, Assess- 
ors. 

1844, Edwin A. Parmenter, Rod- 
man Potter, Jackson Crouch, Com- 
missioners of Highways; Hiram 
Clayson, Dennis Connor, Robert M. 
Patchin, Assessors. 

1845, Darius Crosby, Hiram 
Spaulding, Robert M. Patchin, Com- 
missioners of Highways; E. A. Par- 
menter, Abram Waugh, David Bron- 
son, Assessors. 

18 46, Benjamin S. Hoag, 3 years; 
Highways; John Hess, 3 years, H. 
Patchin, 1 year, Commissioners of 
Highways; John Hess, 2 years, H. 
Spaulding, 2 years, Darius Crosby, 1 
years. Assessors. 

1847, L. E. Day, Commissioner of 
Highways; Darius Crosby, C. W. 
Bronson, vacancy. Assessors. 



18 48, Isaac Leggett, Commission- 
er of Highways; Abram Waugh, As- 
sessor, R. M. Patchin, vacancy, As- 
sessors. 

1849, James Armstrong, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Abram Lent, 
Assessor. 

1850, Franklin Larrowe, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; James Arm- 
strong, Assessor. 

1851, Hiram Dewey, Commission- 
er of Highways; Hiram Clayson, As- 
sessor. 

1851, Hiram Spaulding, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; George Sager, 
Assessor. 

1852, Samuel Rosenkrans, Com- 
missioner of Highways; George Sa- 
ger, Assessor. 

1853, D. S. Morehouse, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; John Kellogg, 
Assesssor. 

1854, Ashel Tyler, Commission- 
er of Highways; Rice Moulton, As- 
sessor, E. H. Slayton, vacancy. 

1855, Samuel S. Rosenkrans, Com- 
missioner of Highways; Hiram 
Dewey, Assessor, Benjamin Warner, 
vacancy. 

18 5 6, Samuel S. Rosenkrans, 
Commissioner of Highways; Sepham 
Flint, Assessor. 

1857, Samuel S. Rosenkrans, 
Commissioner of Highways; Jesse 
Edmond, Assessor. 

1858, Amos Stone, Commissioner 
of Highways; John Kellogg, Assess- 
or, Abram Waugh, vacancy. 

1859, H. N. Tousey Commissioner 
of Highways; Gardner Waite, As- 
sessor. 

1860, H. N. Tousey, Commissioner 
of Highvvays; William Rynders, As- 
sessor; C. V. K. Woodworth, vacan- 
cy. 

1861, Amos Stone, Commissioner 
of Highways; James B. Slayton, As- 
sessor. 

1862, Isaac B. Hoagland, Com- 
missioner of Highways; Jonathan C. 

32 



Parks, Assessor. 

1863, Jerome P. Sutherland, Com- 
missioner of Highways; Jesse Ed- 
mond, Assessor. 

1864, Daniel Raymond, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Stephen 0, 
Phillips, Assessor. 

1865, S. F. Woodworth, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Orlando Wet- 
more, Assessors. 

18 66, Bryan A. Tyler, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; William H. 
Smith, Assessor. 

1867, Ira M. Tripp, Commission- 
er of Highways; William H. Smith, 
Assessor. 

1868, Wheeler Clayson, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Ashel Tyler, 
Assessor. 

1869, Eli Aspinwall, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Ashel Tyler, 
Gorge W. Drake, Assessors. 

1870, Ira M. Tripp, Commissioner 
of Highways; James B Slayton, As- 
sessor. 

1871, S. F. Woodworth, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Hiram Rynders. 
Assessor. 

1872, Philo Knickerbocker, Com- 
missioner of Highways; Samuel F. 
Woodworth, Assessors 

187 3, Grattan H. Wallace, Com- 
missioner of Highways; James B. 
Slayton, Assessor. 

187 4, Ira M. Tripp, Commissioner 
of Highways; Abner Gardner, As- 
sessor. 

1875, Hiram W. Hatch, Comrnis- 
soner of Highways; John Miller, As- 
sessor. 

1876, Pliny F. Horr, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; M. J. Tyler, 
Assessor, W. H. Smith, vacancy. 

1877, Byron A. Tyler, Commis- 
sioner; Milan J. Tyler, Assessor. 

1878, Henry S. Clayson, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; W. W. Jackson, 
Assessor. 

18 79, Harvey F. Johnson, Com- 
missioner of Highways; George Bol- 



ster, Assessor. 

1880, Jacob Wagner, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Harvey Lowell, 
Assessor. 

1881, Samuel M. Parks, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Jesse Edmond, 
Assessor. 

1882, Philip Folts, Commissioner 
of Highways; Ezekiel Brown, As- 
sessor. 

1883, Noyes K. Fowler, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; O. W. Hoxter, 
Assessor. 

1884, John Larrowe, Commission- 
er of Highways; James P. Clark, As- 
sessor. 

1885, Dwight Weld, Commissioner 
of Highways; W. W. Jackson, As< 
sessor. 

188 6, Henry Folts, Commissioner 
of Highways; Hollis H. Tyler, As- 
sessor. 

1887, Oliver Hoxter, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Philip Folts, 
Assessor. 

1888, Eugene E. Stetson, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; W. W. Jackson, 
Assesssor. 

1889, Frank C. Fowler, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Hollis H. Tyler, 
Assessor. 

1890, Murry Tripp, Commission- 
er of Highways; Philip Folts, As- 
sessor. 

1891, Stephen T. Stanton, Com- 
missioner of Highways; George 
Fronk, Assessor. 

1892, Lorenzo M. Jones, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Darwin Marsh, 
Assessor. 

1893, Rice T. Moulton, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Henry W. 
Schv/ingel, Assessor. 

1894, Martin H. Wilcox, Com- 
missioner of Highways; William 
Cragg, Assessor. 

1895, Martin H. Wilcox, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; William H. 
Hammond, Assessor. 

189 6, William L. Rowe, Commis- 



33 



sioner of Highways; W. W. Jackson, 
Assessor. 

1897, William L. Rowe, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; William Cragg, 
Assessor. 

1898, Humphrey Courtney, Com- 
missioner of Highways; Beach 
Drake, Assessor. 

1899, Humphrey Courtney, Com- 
missioner of Highways; John C. 
Mattice, Assessor. 

1900, Humphrey Courtney, Com- 
missioner of Highways; Jacob Neu, 
Assessor. 

1901-1902, Martin H. Wilcox, 
Commissioner of Highways; Beach 
Drake, W. W. Jackson, William 
Cragg, Assessors. 

1903-1904, John G. Fritting, Com- 
missioner of Highways; W. W. Jack- 
son, Frank Rex, Assessors. 

1905-1906, John G. Fritting, Com- 
missioner of Highways; W. W. Jack- 
son, Frank Rex, William Cragg, As- 
sessors. 

1907-08-09, Frank Rex, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; William Cragg, 
William J. Faulkner, Henry Field, 
Assessors. 

1909-10, H. A. Neufang Commis- 
sioner of Highways; William Cragg, 
William J. Faulkner, Henry Field, 
Assessors. 

1911-14, John G. Fritting, Com- 
missioner of Highways; William 
Cragg, William J. Faulkner, Henry 
Field, Assessors. 

CIVIL WAR FERIOD 

I now come to the actions of the 
town in reference to Town Bounties 
during the Civil War. That time that 
tried the best and stoutest hearts as 
to what was best to do. That time 
when men were called upon not only 
of their means — but of their sons — 
aye of themselves, when "It is sweet 
and glorious for one's country to 
die", became more than a beautiful 
sentiment — but meant lonely fire- 
sides, less help, struggles for life. 



No, that was small. It meant more 
taxes, the wife at the helm. Per- 
haps and too often, the mother and 
lover at the bier. 

In December, 1863, the following 
act was passed by the Board of Su- 
pervisors. I give it in full as it is 
the basis for other acts: 

"Resolved, that the county of 
Steuben will pay $3 00 to each and 
every person who has voluuteered 
since its last call of the Fresident 
for 300,000 men made the 17th day 
of October, 1863, or who shall here- 
after volunteer into the service of 
the United States and be credited to 
their respective towns of this county 
until the quotas of the respective 
towns under the last call for volun- 
teers be filled. 

"Resolved, that the treasurer of 
Steuoen County be directed to issue 
negotiable bonds of the county in 
amount not exceeding a sum sufl^ic- 
ient to pay $300 to each volunteer to 
the full numbers of the quota of the 
county, under the last call, and shall 
deliver such bonds to the Supervisors 
of the respective towns in sufficient 
amounts to enable them to pay the 
sum of $300 to each volunteer from 
that from that town up to the num- 
ber of the quota of said town under 
said call, upon his filing with the 
treasurer a bond conditioned for the 
faithful performance of the trust re- 
posed in him by these resolutions of 
such amount as the treasurer shall 
require with sufficient sureties, and 
in case the Supervisor of any town 
shall neglect or refuse for twenty- 
five days from the date of the pass- 
age of these resolutions to file such 
bonds or to act in pursuance of these 
resolutions, then and in that case, 
such County Treasuer shall appoint 
some responsible citizen of such 
cov/n who will file such surety to act 
in place of said Supervisor in per- 
forming the duties required by these 



34 



resolutions and shall deliver to him 
such bonds in the same manner as to 
the Supervisor when acting. 

Other resolutions not copied. 

The town held seven town meet- 
ings between December, 1863 and 
December, 186 4, and on only one oc- 
casion that of offering $1000 to 
volunteers did the town vote, nay. 

I quote these meetings: 

At a special town meeting held on 
December 29, 186 3, the above reso- 
lutions were adopted by the town of 
Cohocton by a vote of 197 to 27. 

At a special town meeting held on 
March 8, 1864, in pursuance to a 
resolution passed by the Board of 
Supervisors, February 25, 1864, as 
to paying $300 to each and every 
person who has been mustered into 
the service of the United States since 
October, 1863, or who shall hereafter 
volunteer into the service and be 
credited to the respective towns un- 
til the quotas of said towns of the 
county under the call of the Presi- 
dent of the United States for 500,000 
made February 1, 1864, shall be fil- 
ed. 

"Resolved, that the resolutions 
shall not apply or be binding upon 
any town except upon a vote of a 
majority of the electors of such town 
present and voting at a town * meet- 
ing at which the question shall be 
submitted." 

Our Supervisor, David H. Wilcox, 
favored and voted for the resolution. 

The vote of town at special meet- 
ing March 8, 1864, was 144 to 3 for 
the adoption by Cohocton. 

On June 6, 1864, at a meeting of 
the Town Board of Cohocton, it was 
voted, "That if it shall be found im- 
possible after due diligence and vig- 
orous effort to fill the deficiency in 
the quota of said town under the last 
call of the President for 200,000 men 
with volunteers obtained at an ex- 
pense to said town of $300 before 



the 12th day of June, 1864. Then 
and in that case the Supervisor of 
said town of Cohocton may and shall 
pay to the Collector of Internal 
Revenue in and for this district the 
sum of $300 of the money provided 
for volunteer bounty for each and 
every person for which there shall be 
a deficiency under said quota for the 
procuration of a volunteer or substi- 
tute." 

Signed, 

David H. Wilcox, Supervisor. 
James F. Wood, 
Thomas S. Crosby, 

Justices. 
E. S. Carpenter, 

Town Clerk. 

The Board of Supervisors on July 
29, 1864, passed another resolution 
to pay $200 additional which the 
town, at a special meeting, held on 
August 3, 1864, adopted for Cohoc- 
ton, for, 105; 19 against. 

The fourth special town meeting 
held that year was August 23, 1864, 
to ratify the resolution of the Board 
of Supervisors held August 17, 1864, 
authorizing an additional bounty of 
$100 to all volunteers credited to the 
town under the last call of the Presi- 
dent for 500,000 more men made 
July 18, 1864. For, 62; against, 6. 

The fifth special town meeting was 
held September 18, 1864, on the fol- 
lowing: 

"Resolved, that the Board of said 
town be authorized to issue the 
bonds of said town bearing annual 
interest to pay said bounties this day 
provided for volunteers and the 
bonds issued by the Town Board be 
divided into three classes. The first 
class to be made payable on the 1st 
day of February, 1865; 2d class on 
the 1st day of February, 1866; the 
3d class on the 1st day of February, 
1867. 

"Resolved, that the town of Co- 
hocton shall raise by tax the sum of 



35 



six thousand ($6000) for each 
man who shall volunteer under the 
last call of the President for 500,- 
000 more men made July 18,1864, to 
fill the said quota of the said town of 
Cohocton, N. Y.. being ($1000) one 
thousand dollars each." 

I give these resolutions as written 
in the town records, although it 
looks as if the first should be last 
and the second be first. They were 
the only ones voted down during 
the bounty question actions. For, 
147; against, 155. 

The sixth special town meeting for 
1864, was held September 19, 1864. 
The whole number of votes given for 
and against the bounty as per reso- 
lutions offered and public notice, viz- 

To vote for or against a bounty 
to each person who shall or has vol- 
unteered into the military service of 
the United States to the credit of the 
town of Cohocton under the call of 
the President for 500,000 more men 
made July 18, 1864, as follows: 

Five hundred dollars to each per- 
son who shall have volunteered on 
and after the 1st day of September, 
186 4, and $200 to each person who 
volunteered as aforesaid previous to 
the 1st day of September, 18 64, 
which $500 may be used by any per 
son to procure a substitue to the 
credit of said town, all of which said 
bounty shall be in addition to all 
bounties now provided, but no more 
bounties than that already provided 
to be paid to volunteers who entered 
previous to September 1, 1864, un- 
less the quota of the town was 375. 
For, 229; against, 146. 

At a meeting of the Town Board 
of Cohocton, September 24, 1864: 

"Resolved, that the Supervisor of 
the town of Cohocton, N. Y., have 
discretionary power of apropriating 
a sufficient sum of money for the re- 
lief of the families of volunteers who 
are credited tq the town of Cohocton 



and are now in the service of the 
United States of America, to supply 
their present pressing wants accord- 
ing to the provisions of chapter 8 of 
Lav;s of New York passed February 
9, 1S64. 

D. H. Wilcox, Supervisor. 
W. W. Waite, 
Thomas S. Crosby, 
James F. Wood, 
Justices of the Peace. 
E. S. Carpenter, 

Town Clerk. 
Thus it will be seen that the town 
met these trying times with a spirit 
of liberality and encouragement. So 
the town, bravely passed one of the 
trying years of its history. Names of 
those who enlisted given at close of 
history. About 230 went out from 
this town. 

THE VILLAGE 
Cohocton has but one incorporated 
village within its limits at the pres- 
ent time. Atlanta and North Cohoc- 
ton are both thriving settlements 
in the northern part of the town. 

At a meeting held at the law office 
of Orange S. Searl, Tuesday evening, 
March 24, 1891, for the purpose of 
taking action on the incorporation of 
the village of Cohocton, Stephen D. 
Shattuck was chosen chairman, and 
Andrew E. Shults, secretary. On 
motion the following committee was 
appointed to make a survey and map 
or territory intended to be included 
in the incorporation: 

J. L. Barthelme, James Fox, 
Henry Maichle, James M. Reynolds, 
Hiram Wygant, W. J. Shults, Valen- 
tine Graser, only one of whom, 
Henry Maichle, is residing here. All 
others dead. 

At a meeting held April 9, 1891, 
the committee on survey and map 
reported. Report accepted and com- 
mittee discharged. The following 
were appointed on census and to 
have map and census posted as re- 



36 



quired by law, and also to issue the 
proper notice to the voters on the 
proposed incorporation: 

John F. Shults, John T. Lichius, 
J. M. Reynolds, W. W. Jackson, 
James Fox, W. J. Shults and Chas. 
Wilder. 

This committee reported, making 
notice and call for election to be held 
in rooms over the Fox drug store, 
now back of M. A. McDowell's law 
office, on Tuesday, the 14th day of 
July, 1891, between the hours of 10 
a. m. and 3 p. m., to determine 
whether the proposed territory shall 
be incorporated and be the village 
corporation of Cohocton. This was 
signed by thirty-two different citi- 
zens within the proposed territory. 
According, on July 14, 1891, the 
election was held, Albert H. Wilcox, 
Supervisor of the town, and Chas. E. 
Crosby, Town Clerk of the town, act- 
ing as inspectors of election. The 
whole number of votes case was 230. 
For corporation 141; against, 89, be- 
ing a majority of 52 for incorpora- 
tion. 

The first village election was 
held August 18, 18 91, and the offi- 
cers elected were: James M. Rey- 
nolds, President; James Fox, An- 
drew E. Shults, Frank T. Baker, 
Trustees. 

William B. Adair, Treasurer. 

Charles W. Godfrey, Collecctor. 

The Board appointed Dr. Ira L. 
Goff, Clerk. 

John T. Lichius, Street Commis- 
sioner; William H. Adair and Henry 
C. Hart, Police Constables. 

The water tax was voted Septem- 
ber 7, 1893. Bonds for $22,500 
were issued and the water system 
was laid in the fall of 1893, by Sykes 
Brothers of Buffalo. The tax for the 
Engine House and Lockup was voted 
and the building was built in the 
winter of 1893-18 94. 

The Presidents, Trustees and 



Clerks since incorporation have been 
as follows: 

1891-1892, President, James M. 
Reynolds; Trustees, James Fox, An- 
drew E. Shults, Frank T. Baker; 
Clerk, Dr. Ira L. Goff. 

1893, Andrew E. Shults, Presi- 
dent; Trustees, W. W. Jackson, one 
year; Theodore R. Harris, two years, 
Charles Oliver, two years; Clerk, Dr. 
Ira L. Goff. 

1894, William E. Adair, President; 
Jacob L. Barthelme, Trustee; Dr. Ira 
L. Goff, Clerk. 

1895, William E, Adair, Presi- 
dent; Thomas B. Fowler and Web- 
ster Edmunds, Trustees; Dr. Ira L. 
Goff, Clerk. 

1896, C. W. Stanton, President; 
Ard O. Dewey, Trustee; J. Leonard 
Waugh, Clerk. 

1897, Peter J. Rocker, President; 
E. B. Slayton, W. J. Becker, Trus- 
tees; Edwin S. Brown, Clerk. 

1898, Peter J. Rocker, President; 

E. B. Slayton, Henry Finch, Trus- 
tees; Edwin S. Brown, Clerk. 

1899-1900, Peter J. Rocker, Presi- 
dent, E. B. Slayton, Henry Finch, 
Trustees; Edwin S. Brown, Clerk. 

19 01, Manley A. McDowell, Presi- 
dent; E. B. Slayton, C. J. Mehlen- 
bacher, Trustees; Webster Ed- 
munds, Clerk. 

1902, Andrew E. Shults, Presi- 
dent; F. A. Tobias, Trustee; Edwin 
S. Brown, Clerk. 

1903, George E. Wagner, re- 
signed, C. W. Stanton, President; 
J. L. Barthelme, Trustee; Edwin S. 
Brown, Clerk. 

1904, C. W. Stanton, President; 
C. C. Newcomb, Trustee; Edwin S. 
Brown, Clerk. 

1905, A. C. Westfall, President; 

F. W. Snyder, Trustee; Edwin S. 
Brown, Cle"k. 

19 6, A. C. Westfall, President; 
F. W. Snyder, Trustee; Edwin S. 
Brown, Clerk. , 



37 



1907. Fred W. Snyder, President; 
C. C. Newcomb, Manley A. McDowell, 
Trustees; Edwin S. Brown, Clerk. 

1908-1909, Fred W. Snyder, Presi- 
dent; C. C. Newcomb. Manley A. 
McDowell, Trustees; M. E. Weld, 
Clerk. 

1910, Andrew L. Shults, Presi- 
dent; Manley A. McDowell, S. D. 
Parmenter, Trustees; A. McWatters, 
Clerk. 

THE PRESS 

In January, 1861, William Wirt 
Warner with Laura E. Weld as as- 
sociate editor, started a little paper 
called the Cohocton Journal. It was 
published for three months, so its 
valedictory says. As Mr. Warner 
took leave on closing out, he soon 
after went west. This paper was 
published on the present (McDowell) 
Zeh farm. 

Nothing further was done until in 
April, 1870, when H. B. Newell start- 
ed a paper at Cohocton called the 
Cohocton Advertiser, so the paper 
says. Histories say Herald. 

A short time after he sold to 
James C. Hewitt and the name was 
changed to the Cohocton Tribune. 

May 29, 187 3, William A. Carpen- 
ter, when but 15 years old, son of 
Ezra S. Carpenter, commenced the 
publication of the Cohocton Times at 
North Cohocton. In 18 74, he moved 
to Cohocton, having purchased the 
good will and material of the Cohoc- 
ton Tribune of Mr. Hewitt, and the 
paper became the Cohocon Vallej 
Times — Carpenter and Fenton then 
proprietors. This was purchased in 
187 8, by Edgar A. Higgins, who, in 
1889, sold to Stephen D. Shattuck. 
who continued its publication until 
his death, August, 1901. It was car- 
ried on by his daughter, Mrs. Emma 
G. Searl, until October, 1902. 

The Atlanta News was founded at 
Atlanta July 4, 1892, by Hyatt C 
Hatch, who i^i October, 1892, sold to 



V. L. and M. R. Tripp, and the name 
changed to the Index. 

In 1893, it was moved to Cohocton 
and continued unil October, 1902, 
Avhen V. L. Tripp, the firm having 
bean dissolved, purchased the good 
will and material of the Cohocton 
Valley Times of Mrs. Searl, moved it 
to his office in the Slayton Block and 
has since continued its publication, 
under the name of The Cohocton 
Times-Index. In 1905, it was mov- 
ed to the "Beehive" building built 
about 1828, by Paul C. Cook, which 
has an eventful history — now^ owned 
by V. L. Tripp. 

Once the western border of the 
park, where in early days, took place 
the early training. This park in- 
cluded all the land east of the "Bee- 
hive", and to the corner and down 
South Main street to the Parmenter 
reoidence. In this building. Liberty 
Lodge, No. 510, was organized and 
held its meetings from April, 1861 to 
1872, eleven years. Prom this old 
building now go forth items of joy 
and sorrow, marriage and death. 
Some of your good deeds, possibly 
some of your bad. 

Benj. A. Osborne in July, 18 97, 
started the Steuben Times at Atlan- 
ta. The 2 9th number was issued 
P"'ebruary 11, 1898, and the office was 
within a few days destroyed by fire, 
and the good will and list purchased 
by V. L. Tripp. 
THE CIVIL LIST OF COHOCTON 

Paul C. Cook, Member of Assem- 
bly, 1827-1837. 

Richard Brower, Member of As- 
sembly, 1840. 

Stephen D. Shattuck, Member of 
Assembly, 1873-1.8 74. 

Orange S. Searl, Member of As- 
sembly, 1881-1882. 

Hyatt C. Hatch, Member of Assem- 
bly, 1898-1901. 

Ira L. Goff, Coroner, 1880-1882. 

Edgar A. Higgins, School Com- 

38 



missioner, 1882-1884. 

Louis H. Barnum, School Commis- 
sioner, 1885-1887. 

George H. Guinnip, School Com- 
missioner, 1876-1881, but he was not 
a resident of the town at the time. 
CHURCHES 
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

It was not until 1807, that we 
have any record — that a sermon was 
preached in the town of Cohocton or 
in any of its present or former limits. 
In that year Elijah Parker and 
Stephen Crawford, New England 
Congregationalists, came into town 
with their families and at once laid 
plans for religious services. 

In 1808, the inhabitants met to- 
gether and appointed Elijah Parker 
and Stephen Crawford to lead in 
public meeting. 

In May, 1809, these few Christians 
were visited by Rev. Aaron C. Collins 
when about ten persons professed to 
join in church fellowship and in 
June they were visited by Rev. Abi- 
gal Warren with whom they agreed, 
he should preach for them and labor 
among them for the period of one 
year. The number was tlieu twen- 
ty-five. 

On October 8, 1809, they were or- 
ganized into the First Congregation- 
al church of Cohocton. 

The original nine members were: 

John Slack, Jerusha Slack, Martha 
Parker, Elijah Parker, Mehitable 
Parker, Stephen Crawfotd, Ruth 
Crawford, Obadiah Woodward, Sybil 
Woodward 

Elijah Parker was elected the first 
Deacon. 

Horace Fowler, father of the 
Fowler Brothers, Phrenologists came 
in 1810, and was made a Deacon in 
1816. 

There was no church edifice for 
about twenty years. The school 
house and the residences of Horace 
Fowler, and Stephen Crawford, Hor- 



ace Fowler's most of the time, which 
was on the grounds where the pres- 
ent residence of Charles Larrowe is, 
was used. 

The officiating ministers of that 
period included Rev. Robert Hub- 
bard, Rev. Aaron C. Collins, Rev. 
Joseph Crawford, 1823-1829, Rev. 
Stephen Clancy, 1830, Rev. Lucius 
W. Billington. 

Pardon a digression, but Rev. 
John Niles of Bath, Rev. David Hig- 
gins of Bath, Rev. James H. Hotch- 
kin of Prattsburg, Rev. Robert Hub- 
bard of Angelica, the pinoeers of 
Steuben and Allegany counties, all 
began their ministry in the Con- 
gregational church. Prattsburg 
church v/as organized as a Congrega- 
tional church in 1804. Bath church 
in 1806, as a Congregational church. 
The third oldest church, Cohocton, 
was as I have said, organized as a 
Congregational church, was received 
into Bath Presbytery in 1820, on the 
accommodating plan and did not be- 
come thoroughly Presbyterian until 
18 50. Some say it nearly went 
back later, but since reorganization 
in 1870, has had no weak knees. 

Horace Fowler and Constant Cook 
in 1829, were elected trustees and a 
church built on lands of Horace 
Fowler, just south of the present 
residence of Samuel Hecox on South 
Main street. 

This building was dedicated as a 
house of worship, February 3, 1830. 
Sermon by Rev. Robert Hubbard 
from Haggar 2-9. He was for many 
years, 1812-1826, pastor at Angelica 
and Almond, but his parish was the 
whole of Allegany and western por- 
tion of Steuben counties. 

The church was, as I have remark- 
ed, under union plan Congregational 
in government, yet reporting to Pres- 
bytery. 

From 1832 to 1868, were rather 
discouraging years for the church. 



39 



From 1833 to 1850, the records 
were lost or more probably never 
written. 

But I am able to say that Rev. 
Stalham Clary supplied for a while. 
Rev. Asa Adams, who afterwards left 
the ministry from 1846 to 1851. 
Rev. Joseph Strough 1851, until his 
death, 1854. Rev. W. L. Andrews 
from February, 1855 to January 
1856. 

The following also served as 
ministers in the Presbyterian 
church: 

Rev. A. T. Wood from January, 
1856 to October 1857; Rev. J. Wood- 
worth from January 1858 to May 
1860. From 1861 to 1871, the pul- 
pit was supplied by Rev. M. B. Gels- 
ton, now dead. 

The Society, about the time the 
church was built, built and owned a 
manse, which was sold to M. S. Har- 
ris in 1865, occupied many years by 
Mrs. Ann Polmanteer, and is now 
owned by George C. Rocker. In 
1870, the Society sold the church 
building which stood on South Main 
street to Frank Draper who sold it to 
Albertus Larrowe, who moved it 
down South Main street lower end 
and converted it into a dwelling 
house and it was so used for a while 
and burned in 1886. 

In 1850, the church became fully 
Prsbyterian and elected Abram 
Waugh, Dennis Connor and Abram 
Terry, Elders. 

In 1853 it got uneasy and swung 
back to Congregationalism, but this 
did not suit, and October 21, 1854, it 
finally settled down under the Pres- 
byterian form of government and re- 
elected Abram Waugh, and also 
elected Alfred Ingraham and Alfred 
Slack, Elders, and Calvin Blood and 
Austin H. Bacon, Deacons. 

Now comes the erection of the 
present church edifice on the corner 
of Maple Avenue and Church Street, 



mainly through the efforts of the 
Ladies' Society and to funds received 
from the sale of the old property. 

This then new church was dedicat- 
ed at 10 a. m., November 14, 1872. 
Sermon by Rev. Dr. Wm. E. Knox, 
pastor of the First Presbyterian 
church of Elmira. In the afternoon 
of that day, Rev. Charles B. Austin 
was installed the first regular pastor 
of the church. Sermon by Rev. W. A. 
Niles of Hornellsville. February 27, 
1876, Mr. Austin preached his fare- 
well sermon and soon after moved 
to New York Mills where he had ac- 
cepted a call to be pastor. 

Various supplies officiated until 
September 1, 1878, when Rev. John 
Waugh entered upon his labors and 
upon November 8, 1878, was in- 
stalled the second pastor of the 
church and has by far the longest 
record as pastor in its history. He 
closd his labors September 18 93, 
having celebrated the 50th anniver- 
sary of his ministry here in July, 
1890. 

He was followed October 1, 18 93, 
by Rev. Frank S. Swan, who was 
not installed pastor, but served the 
church faithfully until January 26, 
1902, when he accepted a call to Al- 
mond. Rev. J. Forbes Robinson 
commenced his labors here the next 
Sabbath, February 2, 1902, and was 
installed as the third pastor Feby. 
25, 1902j^ 

Sermon by Rev. Arthur J. Waugh 
of Phelps. Mr. Robinson closed his 
pastorate November 20, 1904, and 
moved to Hamburg. Rev. Samuel W. 
Pratt became the supply of the pulpit 
November 27, 1904, and continued 
until July 30, 1906. 

Rev. E. George Sarkeys became 
stated supply September 9, 1906, and 
continued until July, 1907, when he 
returned to Tripoli, Syria. 

In November, 1907, Mr. Robinson 



40 



having moved back to Cohocton be- 
came the supply. 

Rev. W. Francis Berger commenc- 
ed his pastorate September 5 1909, 
and was installed the fourth pastor 
October 19, 1909. 

The present manse was built in 
1879, mainly through the efforts of 
Thomas Warner and Mrs. Mary 
Rosenkrans. It has a fine location on 
North Main street and is a large 
commodious house. 

In 1895, mainly through the ef- 
forts of Edgar A. Higgins, a fine 
chapel was built on the south end of 
the church. A fine piano and fur- 
niture purchased. 

Besides Elijah Parker and Horace 
Fowler, the following were Deacons 
under the Congregational domain, 
Stephen Crawford, Allen Haight, 
Calvin Blood and Alphonso Bacon. 

Besides Abram Waugh, Dennis 
Connor, Abram Terry, Alfred In- 
graham, Alexander A. Slack, Elders. 
Since then he Elders under the Pres- 
byterian domain and year of election 
have been: 1855, Calvin Blood; 
1856, Calvin V. K. Woodworth; 
1859, Charles W. Bronson and Mel- 
vin H. Davis; 1864, Austin H. Ba- 
con; 18G9, Phillip C. Hoag; 1881, 
Samuel F. Woodworth, and Dr. 
Thomas B. Fowler; 1879, Clifford M. 
Crouch and Samuel J. Depew; 1902, 
Edwin S. Brown and J. Leonard 
Waugh; 19 08, W. Healy Clark and 
Bert C. Brown. 

1856-1858, J Woodworth. 

1S60-1S69, M. B. Gelston, Naples 
supply. 

November, 18 72 to February, 
187 6, Charles B. Austin, first pastor. 
July 1878 to September 1893, Rev. 
John Waugh, second pastor. 

October 1893 to January, 19 02, 
Rev. Frank S. Swan. 

January, 1902, to November, 1904, 
Rev. Jay Forbes Robinson, third pas- 
tor. 



November, 1904 to July, 1906, 
Rev. Samul W. Pratt. 

Septmber, 1906 to July, 1907, 
Rev. George E. Sarkeys. 

November, 1907 to July 1909, Rev. 
Jay Forbes Robinson. 

Septmeber, 1909 to May, 1912, 
Rev. Francis Berger, fourth pastor. 

September, 1912, Rev. S. Horace 
Beshgetour, fifth pastor. 

To 1825, the supplies were: Rev. 
H. C. Collins, Daniel Nash, Enoch 
Whipple, Mr Ransom, William 
Stone, Noah Smith, Joseph Craw- 
ford, Stalham Carey. 

To 1830: Lucius W. Billington, 
Jeremiah Pomeroy, James H. Hotch- 
kin, Sidney S. Brown. 

Records lost from 1835 to 1850. 
1843 to 1847, Stalham Carey, sup- 
plied. 

1850 to 1856, Joseph Strough 
1854 to 1856, Rev. A. T. Wood. 
A Ladies' Missionary Society was 
organized in 1878 with Mrs John 
Waugh, President; Mrs. M. W. Har- 
ris, Vice President; Mrs. Thomas 
Warner, Secretary; Mrs. Dr. Sax- 
ton, Treasurer. 

The Ladies' Aid Society has been 
a strong factor in the work of the 
church and many dollars and many 
improvements have found their way 
into its v/ork. 

The new church, the extensive re- 
pairs of 1889, when the hard wood 
finish was put on the inside of the 
j building, and plastered walls, a thing 
of the past, the two former carpets, 
I the present one being the gift of Mr. 
I and Mrs. W. H. Clark are part of 
i their willing efforts. 
I I regret to say that forgetting the 
I coming of histories, the minutes 
i that were kept of the early Mission- 
I ary Society and the Ladies' Aid were 
consigned to the flames at hous- 
' cleaning time and up went in smoke 
j the records and name of many a 
I faithful worker and clearer of debt. 



41 



THE METHODIST EPtSCOFAL 
CHURCH, COHOCTON 

(Facts by Rev. R. E. Brettle) 

The Methodist Itinerent must have 
appeared ia Cohoctou at an early 
date, though we have no definite 
record of the first service held by 
them in this place. 

Some of the earlier services were 
held by them in a barn on Lavreace 
VanWormr's place (now J. D. Flint 
farm). By 1S29, a class of eighteen 
members was formed and on Feby 
24, 1S29, the Society was legally in- 
corporated. Cyi .:3 Strong and Syl- 
vanus Calkins presided at the 
meeting at which the following 
were elected trustees: David Lusk, 
Isaac S. Kidder, Ebenezer Connor, 
Paul C. Cook and Cornelius Crouch. 

In 1830, a subscription was cir- 
culated for funds with which to 
build a church. The subscriptions 
were made, it seems with the condi- 
tion that "Said meeting house if 
built is to be free for all authorized 
preachers of the gospel to preach in 
when not wanted, to be occupied by 
the Methodist Society." 

The deed of the church lot is to 
the trustees of the First Methodist 
Episcopal church society of the town 
of" Cohocton and their successors in 
oflfice and to no others. 

Evidently the lot was not bought 
subject to the conditions under 
which the funds to build the church 
were collected. 

The meetings of the young society 
were held chiefly at the home of Ca- 
leb Crouch (on present Warner 
hous lot), until the completion of the 
church some time in 1831, probably 
the new house of worship was dedi- 
cated on March 10, 1832. Rev. 
Samuel Bibbins presided at the first 
annual meeting, which is recorded 
after incorporation. He is the first 
minister mentioned in the local 



records which are somewhat frag- 
mentary. 

The first annual meeting recorded 
as held in the meeting house was 
held April 26, 1836, Paul C. Cook 
presiding. 

From 1839 to 1845, there are no 
records of annual meetings, though 
doubtless, the society continued to 
exist through this period. A reor- 
ganization was effected January 13, 
1845. 

Until 1873, the society was a part 
of the "Cohocton charge", which in- 
cluded as late as 1871, three other 
churches, the North Cohocton church 
being among the number. 

In 1873, a change was made and 
this church was set apart by itself 
and called "Liberty charge" to v/hich 
the society at Loon Lake was at- 
tached as an out appointment. This 
arrangement remained in force until 
1877, when Wallace was substituted 
for Loon Lake. 

A change was again made in 187S 
and the present arrrangement went 
into effect, Lent Hill church takes 
the place oi: Wallace. 

Among the earlier pastors, the? 
name of Father Story is mentioned. 
We also find that Revs. Beers, 
Parker, Mandaville, Curtis, Knapp 
and Spinks prior to 1871. 

The following is a complete list 
of the pastors who have served this 
charge and dates of their incum- 
bency prior to 1871. The dates read 
from October to October of years 
mentioned. 

J. B. Countryman, 1871-1872. 

Henry Vosburg, 1872-1874. 

William Wardell, 1874-1875 

Daniel W. Gates, 1875-1878. 

Andrew Purdy, 1878-1881. 

Henry Vosburg, 1881-1882. 

James D. Requa, 1882-1883. 

E. G. W. Hall, 1883-1885 
. James B. Peck, 1885-1886. 

Homer B. Mason, 1886-1888. 



42 



George S. Spencer, 1888-1891. 
Benjamin F. Hitchcock, 1891-1894. 

Thomas F. Parker, 1894-1895. 

Carlos G. Lowell, 1895-1896. 

Andrew W. Decker, 189 6-1897. 

Thomas C. Bell, 1897-1898. 

Harvy J. Owen, 1898-1900. 

Chas. R. Morrow, 1900-1902. 

Robert E. Brettle, 1902-1905. 

John W. Torkington, 1905-1908. 

lira K. Libby, 1908-1909. 

Rev. E. A. Anderson, 1909-1910. 

Rev. F. H. Dickerson, 1910-1911. 

Rev. D. L. Pitts, 1911-1912 

Rev. Chas. Collins, 1912-1913. 

Rev. Wm. T. Harrington, 1913. 

The church edifice was remodeled 
and enlarged in 1872, at a cost of 
$2,000. The year previous about 15 
rods of land had been purchased 
north of the old church to furnish 
room for additional sheds. 

Some eighteen years ago the Socie- 
ty purchased of John B. Wirth his 
new house on Wheeler street for a 
parsonage and it has since been oc- 
cupied as such. 

During the spring of 1905, the last 

remaining debt upon that building 

had been paid, funds being raised 

therefor, by the Ladies' Aid Society, 

Epworth League and by subscription, 

and the Society now rejoices in a 

free elegant home for its pastor. 

LADIES' AID OF THE M. E. 

CHURCH 

(By Mrs. C. W. Stanton) 

Fifty years ago this Society was 
organized, 1854. Its original fea- 
tures, objects and aims, can perhaps 
be best renewed by quoting from our 
book of records some of its rules and 
proceedings which were made and 
recorded at the time. Upon the first 
pages we find as follows: 

"At a meeting v/hich was called 
for purpose of organizing a benev- 
olent Society, Rev. John Knapp was 
appointed chairman of the meeting 
and V. VanWormer, Secretary. 



The meeting moved and voted that 
the Society should be named the 
Female Benevolent Circle of the 
M. E. church at Liberty. 

The Circle moved and voted that 
the regular meetings be held once a 
month. 

Voted by the Circle that the 
gentleman should pay one shilling 
{i2y2 cents) and the ladies should 
pay six pense at each meeting, and 
the meetings should be opened by 
prayer. 

The Circle voted that the annual 
contributions of each member be 
two shillings. Voted that the chair- 
man appoint a committee to draft 
a constitution, and Rev. J. Knapp, 
A. M. Spooner, Mary E. Spooner and 
Julia Barton were appointed such 
committee." 

The meeting adjourned to Decem- 
ber 16, 18 5 4. Pursuant to adjourn- 
ment the Circle met and adopted 
the constitution and by-laws and 
the following officers were elected: 

President, Susan M. Draper. 
Vice President, Lucretia Rathbone. 

Secretary, Julia A. Barton. 
Treasurer, Mrs. Anna VanWormer. 

Managers, M. E. Spooner, H. M. 
Spooner, Ann M. Wheeler, Cynthia 
Hagadorn, Anna VanWormer and 
Minerva Huff. 

It was voted that the first regular 
meeting of the Circle be on the first 
Tuesday in January, 1855, at V. 
VanWormer's. Received in cash $7. 

The names of the original mem- 
bers were: Rev. J. Knapp, Mrs. J. 
Knapp, Valentine VanWormer, Mrs. 
(V) Anna VanWormer, Mrs. 
(James) Susan Draper, Melissa El- 
dred, Mrs. Huff, Mrs. Whiting, Hes- 
ter Peck, Ann VanWormer, after- 
wards Mrs. Polmanteer, Julia A.Bar- 
ton, afterwards Mrs. Rathbone, 
Cynthia Hagadorn, Mrs. Ann M. 
Wheeler (Mrs. N. J.), Evelyn Hall, 
afterwards Mrs. Hendryx, Lucretia 



43 



Rathbone, Mrs. VanHouten, James 
Farnsworth, N. J. Wheeler, Zilphia 
VanWormer (Mrs. Mattison of 
Michigan), Edwin A. Draper, T. 
Hoag, James H. Barton, Wallace 
Hendryx, S. H. Hagadorn, Hubbard 
S. Rathbun, B. S. Johnson, Stillman 
Fisher, Chas. Hagadorn, A. M. 
Spooner, Mrs. A. M. Spooner, Char- 
lotte Hendryx, Helen M. Davis (Mrs. 
Rosenkrans of Wayland), Adella 
Spooner (now Mrs. Way), A. J. 
Brown, J. D. Hendryx, Helen Rath- 
bone (Mrs. Higgins), L. D. Connor, 
Daniel Ward, Luther Eldred, J. F. 
Edmunds, Thom.. ^ Narcomb, Mary 
Horr, Mrs. Myers, Wm. St. John, Jas. 
Draper, Austin Hall, Ann W. Chase. 

Thus you see that during the 50 
years that have passed away since 
the Society was organized by far in 
fact, with three or four exceptions, 
the original forty-nine, have finished 
their earthly course and gone home 
to their reward, and of five now liv- 
ing, only two are members now. 

The name Female Benevolent 
Society was changed to the Ladies' 
Aid Society on November 19th, 1867. 
The constitution and by-laws which 
were reported and adopted at that 
time is not only a good business 
document, but also bases the Society 
on benevolence and doing good. 

Those laws of our predecessors did 
not, however, encourage excessive 
luxury, but strictly prohibited the 
furnishing of tea and coffee or of 
more than one kind of cake at the 
refreshment tables. 

But the changes and experiences of 
latter years have tended to some- 
what modify the severity of this 
provision and it is no longer enforc- 
ed. 

One of the other wise provisions 
laid down in these original laws 
obligates all members to respect each 
other's characters and feelings in our 
words and conduct both in the Circle 



and out of it. 

As this is a female Society it is of 
course, unnecessary to say that this 
particular rule has always been 
stictly observed. 

Although so few of our original 
members now remain, yet the va- 
cancies caused by death and change 
of residence, have been filled by new 
residents and new recruits and our 
membership has always been kept 
up, and has not been confined to any 
creed. 

Some other sections of our origi- 
nal by-laws directed that the meet- 
ings continue from seven until ten 
o'clock p. m., and that the leading 
object shall be to promote as far as 
possible the cause of benevolence at 
home and abroad. The meetings 
have been habitually attended by 
persons of all ages, and all forms of 
religious belief, and as one active 
worker after another has disap- 
peared from our midst, others have 
grown up or come among us to take 
their places. As a result of their 
labors, $6127.3 7 has been raised and 
has been expended in doing good. 

According to the dictates of jus- 
tice, prosperity and benevolence, and 
it has been from the friends of the 
Society and the labors of its mem- 
bers, that the rents have been met, 
the church building furnished and 
our treasury has often proved the 
reserve fund from which many a 
serious difficulty in the way of the 
church has been tided over. 

The ladies have always given their 
labors and supplied refreshments 
with bountiful hands. The Society 
has always been social in its charac- 
ter, and many and long are the 
friendships which have grown up 
and been maintained in and through 
its influence. Many children and 
young people have formed and re- 
tained good habits for life through 
its influences. 



44 



In receiving and reviewing the 
situation and the work which has 
been accomplished we become more 
fairly convinced that the origina- 
tors of this Society, "Builded better 
then than they knew". Now let us 
brethren and sisters, to continue and 
perpetuate the good work already 
so well begun that when another 
hfty years have passed and when so 
few shall be there in attendance, the 
remembrance of many pleasant and 
profitable works, associations and in- 
fluences through the intervening 
years will call together many people 
who will thank us as we, now thank 
those who have gone before us and 
show that our labors have continu- 
ed to bear good fruit. 

E. V. S. 
THE M. E. CHURCH, LENT HILL 

In 1831, a class was organized 
which resulted in the formation of a 
Society known as the First 'Jnion 
Society of Cohocton and PraLtjburg. 
For a time they worshipped in a log 
school house that stood on the cor- 
ner nearly opposite the present 
church building, which was erected 
in 183 4. Its first trustees were: 
Philip Hatch, Hiram Ketch, Darius 
Field, Robert Stanton, E. Holcomb 
and J. D. Smith, with Hiram Ketch 
as class leader. 

This charge for a time belonged 
to the Cohocton charge which then 
iu'jluded North Cohocton, Cohocton. 
Lent Hill and Loon Lake churches. 

In 18 73, the Lent Hill church was 
attached to the North Cohocton 
charge. Up to 1878, since which time 
it has belonged to the Cohocton 
charge, and regular services are held 
there each Sabbath under the charge 
of the Cohocton pastor at two p. m. 
At other hours on the Sabbath day 
there is preaching of the Wesleyan 
and at times others from different 
denominations. 

The Society has a fair church 



building on a sightly place on Lent 

Hill. 

ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH 

The original members of St. Paul's 
Lutheran church formerly belonged 
to the Lutheran church at Perkins- 
ville. On account of the distance 
which they had to go to attend wor- 
ship it was decided to establish a 
church at Cohocton, which was done 
in 1860, under the ministry of Rev. 
Mr. Strobel. 

The original members were Jacob 
Neu, Theobold Neufang, Franz Sick, 
Fred Zimmer, Jr., Phillip Sick, 3d. 
Fred Zimmer, Sr., Adam Neu, Philip 
Zimmer, Adam Drum, J. A. Schwin- 
gel, Carl Volz, Peter Ebersold, Fred- 
erick Neu, Jacob Zimmer, George 
Wagner, John P. Groff, John Paul, 
J. N. Drum, Philip Voltz, John Voltz, 
Jacob Voltz, Carl Fishner, Christian 
Klein, Frederick Wittig, Christian 
Drum, Christian Fuchs, George 
Voltz, John Benschneider, Frederick 
Land, Jacob Schwitzer, Jacob Sick, 
Harriet Ebersold, George Voltz, Jr., 
Jacob Drum, Frederick Kerserman, 
George Shoultice, John Beechner, 
Philip Bartz, Philip Sick, 2d. 

The original church building 
erected in the early history of the 
church was 30x40. Since then an 
enlargement of sixteen feet has been 
added to the rear of the church and 
but a few years ago extensive im- 
provements were made. 

In 1869, came a division, a portion 
of the members going to form Zion's 
Lutheran church. 

The following ministers have serv- 
ed the church in the order named: 

Rev, Hascal, Rev. Edward Werner, 
Rev. M. Dunning, Rev. P. Spindly. 

Rev. Edward Barnam, June 18 69- 
December 1869. 

Rev. August Weisel March 1870- 
May 1872. 

Rev. Hin.bler June 187o-Decem- 
ber 1873. 



45 



Rev. Herr January 1874-October 
1879. 

Rev. E. J. Sander February 1880- 
May 1886. 

Rev. H. Nauss May 1886- 
June 1893. 

Rev. J. L. PfeifEer October 189 3- 
(died) November 189 6. 

Rev. H. Koch August 1896-August 
1900. 

Rev. W. F. Malte November 1900. 

The church is in a flourishing con- 
dition and maintains a school taught 
by the pastor. It has a fine parson- 
age near the church. 

ZION'S LUTHERAN CHURCH 

This Society was organized in 
1869, by those who separated from 
St. Paul's Society that year. 

The church building is a 30x50 
main, with a school room attached 
18x30 and stands in the south wes- 
tern portion of the village. Rev. 
Beauregard was the first pastor of 
the Society under whom the church 
building was erected and dedicated 
•January 2, 1871. Since then the pas- 
tors and service have been: 

Rev. Otto Tele 1869-1873. 

Rev. Koemer 1873-1874. 

Rev. Hourlin 1874-1875. 

Rev. Jacob Buckstahler 1875- 
October 1877. 

Rev. Jacob Steinheizer 1877- 
1878. 

Rev. Louis Guber December 1878- 
December 187 9. 

Rev. John Schaefer July 1879-May 
1880 

Rev. T. H. Becker June 1880-Feb- 
ruary 1886. 

Rev. J. Roesch May 1886-March 
1891. 

Rev. Otto P'osselt September 1891- 
May 1893. 

Rev. W. E. Rommel August 1895- 
1898. 

Rev. Leo Gross 1898-1900. 

Rev. Josph Rechsteiner October 
1900-August 1902. 



Rev. Henry Hansen October 1902- 
March 1908. 

Rev. C. F. Tieman November 
1908. 

The first officers of the Society 
were Godfrey Dantz, Chairman; Com- 
rad Mehlenbacher, David Fleishman, 
George Bolster, Daniel Sick, Elders; 
John Fritting, Secretary; Godfrey 
Fleishman, Treasurer. 

The officers of the church August, 
1905, were Louis Mehlenbacher, 
John Strobel, Jacob Harvey, Elders; 
H. W. Schwingel, Fred Rowe, Chris. 
Miller, John Schwingel, Fred Pries, 
Christian Strobel, Trustees; Chris. 
Miller, Treasurer; Fred Pries, Secre- 
tary. 

H. W. Schwingel, John Schwingel 
and Christian Strobel, Collectors. 

The membership at first was 58. It 
is now over 70. 

The Society has a parsonage near 
the church. 

The Ladies' Aid Society was or- 
ganized January 8, 1880, by Rev. J. 
Schaefer with the following officers: 

Mrs. Bergman, President. 

Mrs. George Bolster, Vice Presi- 
dent. 

Mrs. Strob-3l, Secretary. 

There were twenty-three members, 
many of whom are dead. At the 
present time the membersnp is 
about the same. 

In 1905, the officers were: 

Mrs. Rose Wittig, President. 

Mrs. Christina Radance, Vice 
President. 

Mrs H. Hansen, Secretary. 

Mrs. Mary Pries, Treasurer. 
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, 
COHOCTON 
(Mrs. Albert H. Wilcox) 

As to the earliest services held by 
the Universalist Society, Rev. A. H. 
Curtis writes: November 25, 1830. 
as follows: 

"At Cohocton (Liberty Corners) 
our regular congregations are large 



46 



and attentive. I commenced labor- 
ing among them about the first day 
of May last. Universalism is a new 
thing here. I believe that not more 
than two or three discourses had 
ever been delivered here by ministers 
of our faith until the commencement 
of my labors among them. I think 
God has lighted a candle here which 
the people are determined not to 
conceal under a bushel. A spirit of 
free inquii'y prevails to a great ex- 
tent and I firmly believe the time is 
not far distant when they shall be- 
come conspicuous as a Christian 
Society." 

Be it remembered that at a meet- 
ing of the Universalist Society held 
at the school house in School District 
No. 5, in the town of Cohocton on 
the 28th day of January, 1833, pur- 
suant to public notice and according 
to the statute incorporating roMgious 
societies in such case made ji.n i pro- 
vided, Caleb Crouch and Peter 
Haight were duly nominated and 
elected to preside at such meeting 
and to certify and return the pro- 
ceedings therof to the Clerk of said 
County. 

That at said meeting it v/as unani- 
mously resolved and agreed that said 
Society should forever thereafter be 
known as the First Universalist 
Society of the town of Cohocton. 

That the following persons were 
then and there duly elected trustees 
of said Society, to wit: 

Daniel H. Davis, Br;nona Danks 
Caleb Crouch, Paul C. Cook, Eleazer 
Tucker and Levi Smith, and that said 
trustees and their successors shall 
forever hereafter be known and 
called by the name of the Trustees of 
the First Universalist Sosiety of Co- 
hocton. In witness whereof we have 
set our hands and seals the day and 
year above written. 

Peter Haight. 
Caleb Crouch, 



They were among the earlier set- 
tlers of Cohocton and with many 
more of the most respectable and in- 
fluential citizens were firm believers 
in the doctrine of the final salvation 
of all men. 

Such men as Peter Haight, Levi 
Smith, Simeon Holmes, Eleazer 
Tucker, Benjamin Warner, Lucius 
Shattuck, David Parmenter, John 
Larrcwe. Darius Crosby and many 
others were of the class. 

Although they did not organize as 
a church they often held meetings 
and had preaching either at their 
own houses or at some school house 
in town until after the M. B. church 
was built by the united efforts of all 
denominations with the understand- 
ing that it shoud be free to all. They 
worshipped there until 1858, when 
one Sunday afternoon upon going to 
the church to hold meetings as usual 
they found themselves shut out, the 
door being locked, and no one know- 
ing where the key could be found 
they had to adjourn their services 
for this time. This was the begin- 
ning of the feeling which resulted 
finally in the building of the First 
Universalist church of Cohocton. 

A meeting was held September 19, 
18 59, at which David H. Wilcox was 
made chairman. At this meeting 
Franklin Larrowe, Amos W. Chase 
and David H. Wilcox were elected 
trustees and a regular church or- 
ganization formed as required by 
statute. A subscription was circu- 
lated and money enough subscribed 
to warrant the commencement of 
erecting a church at once. Among 
the most liberal in giving for this 
purpose we find such men as John 
Larrowe and his sons, Franklin and 
Albertus, F. N. Drake, N. J. Wheeler, 
u. H. Wilcox, E. A. Parmenter, T. S. 
Crosby, I. M. Tripp, Benjamin War- 
ner, A. W. Chase, P.F. Horr, Stephen 
Philips, John Kellogg, C O. Smith, 



47 



G. E. W. Herbert, L. D. Shattuck, 
Austin Hall, Israel Hoagland and 
others. 

The church was commenced in 
1860, but was not completed until 
September 1863. It is located on 
Maple Avenue, is a fine building and 
cost about $3000. The dedication 
sermon was preached by Rev. J. M. 
Austin of Auburn, N Y. Soon after 
the erection of the church the Socie- 
ty engaged the services of Rev. J. H. 
Tuller, who remained with them 
about two years Then Rev. Mr. 
Cheney and Rev. O. B. Clark were 
also settled pastors. But the old 
church book being lost there is no 
way of knowing the length of time of 
their stay, or names of others that 
held services here after which they 
had no settled pastor and only oc- 
casional services until the year 1891, 
Rev. B. B. Fairchild settled here 
and remained for three years, the 
first to settle here on opening the 
church after being closed for many 
years. It was his first charge after 
graduating from the Theological 
School of the St. Lawrence Universi- 
ty at Canton, N. Y. He was ordained 
in this church. Rev. I. M. Atwood 
preached the ordination sermon from 
James 5-20. 

A Sunday School was started 
with a good attendance, also a 
Young People's Christian Union, and 
a Ladies' Aid Society, which was a 
great help to the Society financially. 

In December, 189 3, Rev. Herbert 
P. Morrell settled here until the year 
1896. In June 1897, Rev. Charles 
F.Bushnell was engaged and remain- 
ed until May 1899. Then after a few 
months Rev. Isaac K. Richardson 
was engaged and stayed about three 
years. 

July 1, 1904, Rev. Clara E. Mor- 
gan came and was pastor, preaching 
every other Sabbath evening, when 
she accepted a call to Perry, N. Y. 



Her morning service the day here 
was at So. Dansville. The alternate 
Sabbath she preached at Conesus. 
She was a resident of Cohocton dur- 
ing her pastorate here and the Socie- 
ty deeply regretted her departure. 
She had good congregations and did 
good work here. She had the help 
of M. Louise Blanchard, the lady 
who lived with her, who was a fine 
musician and singer. The church 
has since been closed. 

In talking with a prominent mem- 
ber of the Universalist Society, he 
said: "Our Society has a fine church, 
well finished and furnished, free 
from debt. We are happy to furnish 
a respectable place for worship to 
any who believe in God — the Maker 
and Ruler of all things for the doors 
of the church are always open cheer- 
fully to their Brethren in Christ, no 
matter by what name." 

During the years 1872 and 187 3, 
the Presbyterian Society being with- 
out a house of worship, they had the 
free use of the Universalist church 
until their present church was com- 
pleted and again in 1878-187 9, also 
in 1889, during repairs on their 
church building. 

ST. PIUS' CATHOLIC CHURCH 
(Rev. S. B. Englerth) 

Before the year 1860, the few 
Catholics who settled in and around 
Cohocton (Liberty) went to church 
to Perkinsville (that church having 
been built in 1850. The long dis- 
tance and rough roads however, of- 
tentimes compelled people to remain 
at home away from divine service 
and the holy sacrifice of the mass — 
who would gladly have gone. It was 
a heroic act on the part of many to 
walk several miles to church on Sun- 
days, for it was a common occur- 
ance to see women back and forth 
between Cohocton and Perkinsville, 
and there are those living today who 
I either did themselves or saw others 

48 



pushing baby carriages with one or 
two passengers in them from here to 
Perkinsville. 

Certainly worthy examples to en- 
courage the present generation ever 
to make sacrifices for the honor and 
glory of God. It is known that many 
walked from ten to twenty miles to 
church. 

It was in 1860 that the Catholics 
here received permission from the 
Rev. Bishop Timon of Buffalo to 
erect a church at Liberty (now Cos- 
hocton), and the Rev. Michael Steger 
of Dansville, N. Y., was appointed to 
undertake the seemingly difficult 
task. For the first time he celebrat- 
ed the holy sacrifice of the mass in 
the home of Urban (John) Gehrig 
and in 18G1, built the first frame 
structure which was 34x48 at a cost 
of about $1400, and for the erection 
of which the few Catholics living in 
this vicinity and the non-Cat'iolics 
contributed most generously, aj, the 
records show. We would gladly 
publish the list but space does not 
permit, and we hope to do so on an- 
other occasion. 

In October 1861 the first public 
worship was held in the new edifice 
by Rev. Steger, who then lived in 
Bath, having gone there from Dans- 
ville. On the 6th of May, 1863, the 
Rev. Bishop Timon administered the 
sacrament of Confirmation for the 
first time and gave the church its 
present name in honor of St. Pius, 
the Fifth. 

The first Board of Trustees con- 
sisted of Conrad Shults, Urban 
Gehrig, J. Theodore Lichius. 

The parsonage was built in 1880. 
Rev. Finger was the first resident 
pastor. By reason of the increase of 
Catholics the church was enlarged 
in 1883, and in the same year the 
first bell, which did service nineteen 
years, was donated to the church by 
Mrs. Mary A. Shults. 



The members of St. Pius' church 
being desirous to have a little school 
in which their children could receive 
religious instruction built a school 
house near the church in 1889. The 
school was conducted by some 
sisters of St. Joseph from Buffalo 
and later on by a lay teacher, but 
owing to the scarcity of children, it 
was discontinued in 1898. 

In December 1894, the church was 
free from indebtedness when a final 
payment of $527.75 was made on 
the mortgage held against the 
church. 

In November, 1896, the sum of 
$1500 was borrowed to pay for im- 
provements made during that year. 
This sum was paid in full April 1904, 
by a payment of $513.87. 

In June 1902 the new bell pur- 
chased from the Meneely Bell Co., of 
Troy, was blessed by the Right Rev. 
Bishop McQuaid and placed in the 
tower. This bell weighs a little over 
900 pounds and cost $350, which 
amount was raised by subscription. 

In the latter part of the year, 1896 
the counties of Steuben, Schuyler, 
Chemung and Tioga were added to 
the diocese of Rochester, and since 
that time is under the jurisdiction of 
the Bishop of Rochester. 

He administerd the sacrament of 
Confirmation here for the first time 
June 19, 1898. 

The following are the priests who 
have served the church as pastors: 

Rev. Michael Steger, June 1860- 
June 1864. . 

Rev. F. R. Mazarel June 1864- 
January 1868. 

Rev. L. Vanderpool January 1868- 
January 1869. 

Rev. M. J. Darcy January 1869- 
August 1872. 

Rev. Sebastian B. Gruber August 
1872-July 1873. 

Rev. Aloyosius Bachman July 
1873-May 1874. 



49 



Rev. J. Nibling May 1874-March 
1875. 

Rev. A. Geisenroff March 1875- 
June 1878. 

Rev. Joseph Finger June 1878- 
August 1881. 

Rev. George Zaicher August 18 61- 
September 1885. 

Rev. G. H. Gysen September 1885- 
July 1886. 

Rev. Joseph Fisher July 18 8 6- 
Geptember 1888. 

Rev. A. Geyer September 1888- 
November 1891. 

Rev. M. Krischel November 1891- 
July 1897. 

Rev. John F. Bopple July 18 97- 
June 1901. 

Rev. Sebastian B. Englerth June 
19 01- January 1907. 

Rev. P. A. Erras January 1907- 
June 1908. 

Rev. F. Scheid June 1908. 

UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH 

OF BROWN HILL 

(By Rev. R. E. Wilson) 

This church was organized in 
1893. The building was erected 
and dedicated in 1894. The organi- 
zation of the class and the prepara- 
tion for building was under the 
leadership of Rev. S. E. Koantz, the 
pastor. The completion of the build- 
ing and its dedication the following 
year (1894) was under the pastorate 
of Rev. J. W. Thompson 

The first trustees were W. H. 
Boardman, Frank Harwood, Leon 
Mattoon, Cornelius Calleghan, E. L. 
Fairbrother and Bion E. Slayton. 

From the dedication the following 
is a list of pastorates and dates of 



service: 






I. K. 


Dayton 


March 1895-July 


1895. 






R. E. 


Wilson 


July 18 9 5-March 


1897. 






C. W. 


Guinter 


March 18 9 7- July 


1900. 







H. C. Guthrie July 19 00-March 
1904 

R. E. Wilson March 1904. 

The pastors here also preach at 
the South church, Loon Lake, built 
for a Union church. 

The South Loon Lake church has 
been served by the pastors of the 
United Evangelical church since 
1875. 

NORTH COHOCTON AND ATLAN- 
TA CHURCHES 
(By Dr. A. L. Gilbert) 

The Methodist Episcopal church of 
North Cohocton seems to have been 
a pioneer in this section and the first 
class was formed in 1816, by Chester 
Y. Adgate and Mica Segan. Those 
uniting at that time were Eleazer 
Dewey and wife, James Moulton, 
Mary Moulton, Abigal Moulton, 
Timothy Dewey and wife. David 
Lusk and Caleb Boss and wife. 

From this time it appears that 
meetings were held at stated seasons 
weekly and with preaching every 
two, four or six weeks, usually at the 
River school house situated at the 
north east corner of the four corners 
just east of the river bridge. In af- 
ter years prayer meetings with an 
occasional preaching service were 
held at the Parks (now Moulton) 
sciiool house one mile west of North 
Cohocton. 

Meetings were also held at the 
County Line one and one-fourth 
miles and Quaker meetings in the 
Raymond district two miles south of 
North Cohocton (District No. 4.) 

As there was no church building, 
quarterly meetings were held in 
barns and in the woods, people com- 
ing from many miles around to re- 
main over the Sabbath, subjecting 
themselves and their entertainers to 
great inconveniences and discomfort 
but cheerfully endured on both sides, 
that they might receive the joy of 
. the Lord. 
50 



As far as I have been able to as- 
certain Bath and Dansville circuits 
at one time, and afterwards Cohoc- 
ton and Naples circuit, embracing all 
tho. surrounding smaller points 
where classes had been formed, en- 
joyed the ministry in the due order 
of appointments of Revs. Fowler, 
Arnold, Cummings, Pingree, Pindar, 
Cyrus Story, George Wilkinson, 
Robert Parker, Benager WilUams, 
Stephen Tromly, William Jones, 
Henry Wisner, Theodore McElhar- 
ney, Joseph Ashwort, Veramus 
Brownell, Alkinson, A. C. Haywood 
and J. B. McKenney. 

Early in the summer of 1842, a 
camp meeting was held in the woods 
owned by William Shepard about one 
mile west of North Cohocton. It was 



house of worship. Rev. Joseph 
Chapman was at that time the 
Methodist leader. 

On January 26, 1846, a meeting 
was held at the River school house 
for the purpose of organizing a 
church society — that could legally as 
a corporate tody perform church 
functions. There were present. Rev. 
Joseph Chapman, Henry Morehouse, 
David SpauMing, Rice Moulton, 
Richard Moulton, Ashel Tyler, Henry 
Totten and William Terry. They pro- 
ceeded in due form to organize a 
Methodist Episcopal Society for 
North Cohocton. 

Thre had been a simiar organiza- 
tion before, but it had fallen to 
pieces through neglct, death and re- 
movals. At a second meeting held 



in charge of Rev. William Babcock — July 16, 1846, Dr. Eleazer Hall and 



presiding Elder and Theodore Mc- 
Elharney preacher in charge of the 
circuit. I think at that tims may 
have embraced Cohocton, Loo-i Lake, 
Lnt Hill, North Cohocton, Naples 
and possibly Italy. 

Soon after the removal of William 
A. Gilbert and wife to North Cohoc- 
ton in 1846, who were active mem- 
bers of the M. E. church at Dansville, 
they keenly felt the lack of church 
privileges. 

There had already been talk of 
building a church. It was then en- 
tered into with earnestness. One ob- 
stacle was what kind of a church it 
should be — there being Methodist 
Episcopal, Wesleyans, Universalists, 
Presbyterians and Baptists, the M. E 
and Wesleyans constituting about 
onehalf. The M. B. among whom 
were: W. A. Gilbert, Rice Moul- 
ton, Ashel Tyler, Hiram Spaulding 
and Joseph C. Green pressed the 
Methodist project with such energy, 
the Presbyterians and Baptists 
joined them and finally all personal 
desires and prejudices were sub- 
ordinate to one purpose of having a 



W. A. Gilbert were elected trustees. 
August 27, 1846, a contract was 
signed with Virgil W. Kimball for 
building a church according to 
plans submitted. The trustees at 
that time being Dr. Eleazer Hall, 
Ashel Tyler, Richard Moulton, Wm. 
A. Gilbert tind Joseph Crouch. 

At the annual trustee meeting 
held at the store of Wm. A. Gilbert 
July 6, 1847, Rice Moulton was elect- 
ed a trustee in place of Joseph 
Crouch whose term: had expired. 
Joseph L. Green in the place of 
Eleazer Hall, removed, and Samuel 
G. Fowler in place of Richard Moul- 
ton, removed. The record is signed 
J. B. McElharney as president and 
W. A. Gilbert as clerk. 

The church was dedicated in the 
summer of 1847, by Rev. Jonas 
Dodge, Presiding Elder. 

The M. E. Society had preaching 
here every second Sabbath morning 
and evening. The Presbyterians had 
preaching every second Sabbath 
morning, and the Baptists on the 
evening of that Sabbath. The Uni- 
versalist Advents, Unitarians, Swed- 



51 



enborgians held meetings occasion- 
ally on some week day evening. 

As North Cohocton had no par- 
sonage Rev. Mr. McKinney lived at 
Cohocton charge, as it was known 
embracing the whole town until 
1S71, North Cohocton and Lent Hill 
being then made one charge, and Co- 
hocton and Loon Lake another. In 
1878, Lent Hill was added to Cohoc- 
ton and Ingleside added to North Co- 
hocton. 

The church has been thoroughly 
repaired, sheds added and is today a 
fine commodious church building. 

Since Mr. McKinney the pastors 
and years of service counting from 
month of September, time of confer- 
ence are the dates: 

1848 Hiram Sandlord. 

1849 John Spinks. 

1850 James Hall. 

18 52 William Potter. 
1853, Robert Parker. 
1854 John Knapp. 

1857, Henry Wisner. 

1858, Henry Harpst. 
1859 A. D. Edgar. 

1861 William W. Mandeville. 

1863, Stephen Brown. 

1865 James Duncan. 

During this pastorate twenty-two 
withdrew frorr the M. B. church to 
form the Free Methodist church. 

1867 Rev. Nathan N. Beers. 

1868 William Merritt. 

1869 Claudius G. Curtis. 
1871 J. B. Countryman. 
1874 J. E. Tiffany. 

1876 J. E. King. 

1877 George W. Terry. 
1879 Isaac Everett. 
1882 A. F. Countryman. 
1885 John H. Martin. 
1889 Albert Norton. 
1891David A. Parcells. 
1892 David C. Nye. 

1898 Albert W. Decker. 

1899 W. Irving Janes. 



1900 O. A. Retan. 
1904 Elmer E. Jones. 

1908 George W. Richmire. 

1909 Rev. A. O. Taylor. 

THE LADIES' AID SOCIETY OF 

NORTH COHOCTON M. E. 

CHURCH 

(Mrs. F. A. Wetmore) 

The Ladies' Aid Society of the 
M. E. church of North Cohocton was 
organized in 1882. The first offi- 
were: 

Mrs. Frank A. Wetmore, President 
Mrs. A. L. Gilbert, Vice President 
Mrs. Rufus Waite, Secretary 
Miss H. M. Moulton, Treasurer 
We have endeavored with the help 
of God to create a more social ele- 
ment in our community and assist in 
raising money for the current ex- 
penses of our church. We have al- 
ways furnished a comfortable home 
for our pastor's family to reside in, 
it being well furnished by yearly 
adding to it such articles as were 
useful. We have always paid in- 
surance on the church property. We 
paid largely on the repairs to the 
church in 1887, and have newly car- 
peted it since that time. 

As we look back over the past 
twenty-three years we feel that we 
have made advancement in the way 
of sociability and helping to fur- 
nish money for everj' needful pur- 
pose. 

We wish to speak of Mrs. Emily J. 
(Mrs. A. L.) Gilbert, our deceased 
sister who so ably assisted in our 
work and who is sadly missed in our 
Society. 

The officers in 1905 were: 
Mrs. Martha Stanton, President 
Mrs. Eliza Wheaton, Vice Presi- 
dent 

Mrs. (Frank) Mary L. Wetmore, 
Secretary 

Mrs. E. L. Bloom, Treasurer. 



52 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

ATLANTA 

(Mrs. H. C. Hatch) 

As Dr. Gilbert in his reminiscenses 
says: The Presbyterians had 

preaching in the new M. E. church 
after its dedication in 1847, every 
other Sabbath forenoon. Before that 
they had occasional preaching in the 
school house, with Rev. Mr. Chitten- 
den for about a year; Rev. Asa 
Adams for something over a year. 
About 1850 these services were 
dropped. 

Not until April 8, 1894, when the 
first church services of the present 
church were held in the Waite Opera 
House, Mr. W. P. Wisewell of Naples, 
having secured the services of Rev. 
H. P. McAdams of Rochester, who 
preached from the text, Rom. 10-17, 
"Faith Cometh by Hearing and 
Hearing the Word of God", and he 
read the lesson to us. "How can they 
hear unless they have a preacher"? 
The words sank deep into our hearts 
and we felt that indeed we must be 
up and doiag ihe Lord's work. 

There were 133 present at thio 
meeting and 100 of them were peo- 
ple who could not be or wem noc 
regular attendants at any church 
service. There were nearly as many 
present in the evening, and it 
has been estimated that 150 differ- 
ent people were present during the 
day. A collection was taken morn- 
ing and evening to defray the ex- 
penses which amounted to a trifle 
over $11.00. 

At the close of the morning ser- 
vices the question was discussed 
whether or not services should be 
continued. Several remarks v.'ere 
made in favor of so doing. Pledges 
were taken for the payment of a cer- 
tain sum each Sabbath until July 1st, 
and nearly enough was raised to de- 
fray the expenses of a supply. One 
week before this service the canvass 



of the town had been made by Mrs. 
Edith A. Hatch and Mrs. Lucretia D. 
Wetmore (these with Mrs. Elizabeth 
Pierce, Mrs. Sarah Conderman and 
Mrs. Judith A. Clayson, who were 
connected with Presbyterian 

churches elsewhere.) 

In almost every house we heard: 
"Oh, we should be so glad to have 
regular services here". One lady 
with tears in her eyes said: "Oh, I 
am so hungry to hear a sermon and 
I can not go to church, it is so far to 
walk." From house to house they 
went and the same answer came 
from Chrisitian and non-Christian, 
"We need a church here." The com- 
mittee came home with a feeling of 
awe. They had been face to face with 
God's work of preparation. The 
answer was so august and so ready 
from every heart — "Let us have the 
gospel preached where we can as- 
semble ourselves together". 

"Show thou which way the wind 
blows" — and right heie we wish to 
relate one incident which occurred a 
short time before the canvass was 
made. 

A gentleman not then a Christian 
one who had not known that this 
project had been planned, came 
down the street one Sabbath evening 
and dropped into an office where he 
saw an open door, "I say this is a 
great way to live — a man wanders 
along the street Sunday and stops 
wherever he sees a door open, we 
ought to have a church." 

On April 22, 1894, a Sabbath 
School was organized. Mr. Wisewell 
of Naples being present to help. 
Hyatt C Hatch was elected Superin 
tendent. There were fifty-five pupils 
The next Sabbath 65, the next 80. 
During the winter 1894-1895, our 
banner Sunday attendance was 103. 
The school has now an enrollment of 
175. 

On May 17, 1894, the first regular 



53 



prayer meeting was held, eleven per- 
sons being present, led by Mrs. H. C. 
Hatch. July 22, 1894, a committee 
from Presbytery, Rev. H. P. Mc- 
Adam, D. D., Rev. Geo. W. Warren of 
Prattsburg, Charles Hamlin and 
W. P. Wisewell of Naples were pres- 
ent and the church was organized 
with a membership of twenty-four, 
fourteen joining by letter, ten on 
confession of faith. Elders were 
chosen and ordained. 

Hyatt Hatch for three years. 
J. J. Crouch for two years. William 
Carter for one year. 

Rev. Mr. McAdam with an occa 
sional exchange with Rev. N. J. 
Conklin of Rochester, was the regu- 
lar supply until October 1894, when 
Rev. S. W. Pratt of Campbell took 
his place. 

Rev. Mr. McAdam left among uc 
many warm friends, and God only 
knows the reward awaiting him in 
Heaven for the precious seed he 
sowed. 

About November 1, on a stormy 
Sabbath afternoon, a Young Peoples' 
Society of Christian Endeavor was 
organized. Rev. Mr. Pratt and Mr. 
Wisewell being present. Active mem- 
bers 26; Associate 8; Junior 9. 

December 2, 189 4, the Society was 
incorporated as the Presbyterian 
church of Atlanta and the following 
trustees were elected: Harrison 
Briglin and Hiram W. Hach for three 
years; Willis E. Waite and Edwin H. 
Wetmore for two years; Elias W 
Lent for one year. 

The Sabbath School gave an enter- 
tainment at Christmas time, at which 
there were 350 people present. 

The year, 189 5, was opened by aii 
observance of the week of prayer and 
the meetings were continued about 
three weeks longer and conducted 
by Dr. Pratt. Wonderful, indeed, 
were the blessings bestowed upon us. 
On February 1, thirty were received 



into the church and on March 10, 
seven more. 

On March 7, 189 5, the congrega- 
tion met and gave a unanimous call 
to Mr. Thomas Kerr, who was to 
graduate the coming May at Auburn 
Theological Seminary, and on June 
6, he was ordained and installed the 
first pastor. 

The church has been self-support- 
ing from the start. 

The corner stone of the new church 
building was laid September 19, 
189 5, and the beautiful and conveni- 
ent house of worship dedicated Mar. 
19, 189 6, costing furnished $8000, 
all of which was paid 1 y 1905. 

George S. Fowler and William E. 
Otto were ordained Elders. 

The Woman's Missionary Society 
was organized December 10, 1895 

Rev. Thomas Kerr resigned March 
1, 189 8, and Dr. S. W. Pratt again 
oecanie the supply until November 1, 
1898. 

Rev. Dr. E. R. Evans of Canasera- 
ga, was called to the pastorate Nov. 
1, 18 98, and was installed November 
9, 1898, and still holds the fort. The 
present membership is about 100. 

Rev. W. H. Simmons has since 

been chosen pastor". 

LADIES' AID SOCIETY OF THF 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

ATLANTA 

(By Mrs. H. C. Hatch) 

The Ladies' Aid Society of the At- 
lanta Presbyterian church was or- 
ganized August 15, 1894. The first 
President was Mrs. Edwin Wetmore; 
First Vice President, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Pierce. The next year Mrs. Pierce was 
elected President. She was a most 
efficient worker and served faithfully 
for live years. She was discouraged 
by nothing and worked with untiring 
zeal and devotion. The next was 
Mrs. Wm. F. JolleJ^ who served two 
and one-half years. Mrs. H. C. 
Hatch, the present President (1905) 



54 



has held the office since 1903. 

In the eleven years since Its or- 
ganization the Sociey, though exist- 
ing in a small village, has accom- 
plished wonderful things. The ladies 
ga^e $500 besides decorating the in- 
terior of the church, purchasing the 
carpet and helping towards the 
salary of the minister. 

In May, 1899, they borrowed $1000 
and freed the church building from 
debt Such unbounded faith in 
themselves has not been misplaced. 

The $1000 has been paid in full 
with interest. The money of the 
Society has come little by little. No 
large amounts but mostly from teas 
served every two weeks. Since its 
beginning in August, 1894, the Socie- 
ty has raised $2,981.11, which has 
been used to aid the church. 
THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH, 
ATLANTA 
(By Mrs. Lovilla Moore 

Rev. Anthony N. Moore an.l Hora- 
tio C. Corey were the first preachers. 
A class was organized at the church 
known as the County Line Cliurch, 
1867. In the winter of 1867, the 
Wsleyans having preaching there 
every alternate Sabbath, Rev. B. T. 
Roberts, who was also General 
Superintendent of the F. M. church 
in the United States, came to North 
Cohocton and with Rev. Levi Wood 
and Rev. and Mrs. Cooley organized 
the F. M. church of North Cohocton 
and Atlanta. The charter members 
were: 

Mrs. Catherine Moore, widow of 
Daniel Moore, Rev. Anthony N 
Moore, her son, Horatio C. Corey 
Charlotte Stanton, Leonard Wilson, 
Elisabeth Wilson, Retta Allen, Robt. 
Allen, Mrs. Rodney Boone, Mrs. 
James Barnes, Mrs. Puff, Emily 
Puff, her daughter, Samuel Corey, 
Mrs. Samuel Corey, Miss Hettie Lit- 
tlefield, Mrs. Lovilla Moore, Myron 
Parks, Eliza Ann Parks, Myron At- 



well, Sally Atwell, Silas Lyon, Mary 
Lyon, David Cronk, Lidda Cronk, be- 
sides others on probation. 

The pastors have been: 

Rev. J. K. Freeland. 

Rev. Mr. Edwards. 

Rev. J. B. Newton. 

Rev. A. H. Stilwell. 

Rev. J. W. Sawyer. 

Rev. J. C. Tholens. 

Rev. O. S. Baker. 

Rev. D. W. Clark. 

Rev. D. C. Johnson. 

Rev. Macklin. 

Rev. F. Dunham. 

Rev. W. Crowman. 

Rev. M. S. Babcock. 

Rev. J. D. Jenkins. 

Rev. G. D. Baker. 

In the year, 1868, we bought the 
wagon shop at North Cohocton on 
the site of the present Cottrell office, 
fitted it up for preaching. Rev. An- 
thony N. Moore and his colleague. 
Rev. H. C. Corey preaching for them 
about tv/o years. Services were af- 
terwards held in Wetmore Hall to 
accommodate the people. Under the 
Rev. James A. Tholens the church 
was removed to Atlanta at the ur- 
gent request of the people. 

Squire Adams was at the head of 
the request. 

Rev. Benj. Wingett, District Elder, 
assisted in the change. 

Squire Adams fitted up a build- 
ing and donated its use until the 
present church was built. 

Mrs. Fanny Shepard. donated the 
lot T. J. Cornish, Martin Ferguson 
Rev. Eugene N. Jenks, Mrs. Loretta 
Mcore, Rev. and Mrs. John V. Lyon 
Mrs. Moore's parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
Elias Riker giving the largest dona- 
tion and nearly all people of Atlanta 
and North Cohocton, all they felt 
able until the church debt was paid 
and the building dedicated, free of 
debt. 

The present church was commenc- 



55 



ed in the summer of 1887, but was 
not dedicated until August, 1889. 

THE WESLEYAN METHODIST 
CHURCH 

The Wesleyan Methodist church 
was organized and a church building 
erected by Solomon Corey as a Union 
church at the County Line in 1863. 
It was erected on the Cronk estate 
and used for many years, but going 
by a short time ago, I found the 
building in a very dilapidated condi- 
tion and abandoned. 

In 1881 a lot was purchased of Dr. 
Carpenter and a church built at 
North Cohocton, which was dedicat- 
ed January 10, 1882. 

The pastors have been Rev. 
Suffery, who was a missionary to 
South America at one time and held 
a letter of recommendation from 
President Filmore. 

Rev. Bedford first in the new 
church. 

Rev. William W. Miller 2 or 3 
times. 

Rev. Scribner, Sweet, Fitch, Bab- 
cock, Saulsbury, R. F. Dutcher, L. L. 
Cole. 

BAPTIST <;HURCH, ATLANTA 
The church building was lirsi binl': 
for a school house. A Baptist 
Society was organized in 187 6, by 
John A. S'jhultz, Monroe Llarris of 
Cohocton, Wheeler Clason, Mr. an'l 
Mrs. J. J. Crouch and Mrs. H. W. 
Hatch, and the building given to 
them. Rev. Mr. Dean and others sup- 
plied. 

Upon the organization of the Pres- 
byterian Society in 1894, the build- 
ing was given to them, has since been 
sold and is now converted into a 
private dwelling. Many of those left 
joined the Presbyterian church, 
many have died, some moved away 
and others are still lingerng on this 
side, but the organization has passed 
out of existence. 



CHURCHES AT LOON LAKE 

The M. E. church at Loon Lake 
was organized at an early day and 
services were held for a number of 
years in the school house. 

The nearest information that I 
have been able to get, the present 
M. E. church was built about 1849, 
and has been extensively repaired 
since. 

Among its earlier preachers were: 
Rev. Elisha Bronsou, Rev, Simon 
Berge and Rev. Wm. Jones. 

Upon the formation of the Cohoc- 
ton circuit, it was attached to that 
circuit. Upon the divisions it was at- 
tached to Cohocton charge up to 
18 77, then it became part of the 
Wayland charge, and so remained 
until 1903. It is now a part of the 
South Dansville charge. The pastor 
of those churches have been the pas- 
tors of this church. With places as 
mentioned its pastors have been: 

1877, S. M. Dayton. 

.l878, S. M. Da} ion. 

The date commencing in October 
each year: 

1901, G. A. Bond. 

1902, Geo. A. Bond. 

1903, Geo. W. Richmire. 
19 04, Arthur J. Wat.son. 

1905, Arthur J. Watson. 

1906, F. A. Peterson. 

1907, Guy Lawton. 

1908, Maurice V. Wright. 
FIRE DEPARTMENT 

Upon the organization of the two 
companies — Cohocton Hook & Lad- 
der Co., and C. H. Stone (Now Inde^- 
pendent was organized by the elec- 
tion of the following officers: 

Thomas C. Cherubim, President. 

Andrew L. Shults, Vice President. 

Louis F. Drake, Secretary. 

Chas. E. Crosby, Treasurer. 

The first public appearance of the 

Fire Department was at the Fourth 

of July celebration in 1887, at which 

. time Hon. J. Sloat Fassett was ora- 

56 



tor. 

The celebration was held in the 
Larrowe grove. The receipts after 
paying all bills were $260.40. The 
Department was organized under the 
laws of New York in 1888, and in 
September, 1900, held its first par- 
ace. 

After the fire on the Drake (now 
Mattice) farm July 27, 1893, James 
A. Drake gave to each company of 
the Fire Department $50. 

The equipment of the company at 
first consisted of one Rumsey hand 
engine and hose, one fire hook and 
ladder truck with equipments. 

After the putting in of the water 
works in 1893, the hand engine was 
traded for a large hose cart, so that 
we now have the hook and ladder 
truck and its equipments and two 
hose carts and hose, one being kept 
at the Engine House and the other at 
the pump station at the depot. 

The chiefs and assistant chiefs of 
the Fire Department have been: 

Chiefs, 1887-1888, G. E. W. Her- 
bert; 1888-1889, Jas. M. Reynolds; 
1889-1890, William Perault; 1891- 
18 93, James M. Reynolds; 18 9 4- 
1898, Geo. E. Wagner; 1899-1900, 
John C. Robinson; 1901-1902, M. E. 
Weld; 1903, J. W. Saunders. 

Assistant Chiefs, 1887-1888, Chas. 
W. Godfrey; 1888-1889, Chas. W. 
Godfrey; 1889-1890, C. H. Stone; 
1891-1893, N. D. Kirkmire; 1894- 
1898, Valentine Graser; 1899-1900, 
M. E. Weld; 1901-1902, J. W. Saun- 
ders; 1903, Elmer Sick. 

THE HOOK AND LADDER CO. 

On the 10th day of December, 
1886, an organization called the Co- 
hocton Hook & Ladder Company, 
No. ] , was formed and the following 
officers elected: 

Thomas C. Cherubim, President. 

Andrew L. Shults, Vice President. 

George P. Snyder, Secretary. 

Charles E. Crosby, Treasurer. 

57 



Louis F. Drake, Foreman. 

E. L. D. Knapp, Assistant Fore- 
man. 

The charter members were: 

A. L. Shults, John Groff, George 
P. Snyder, N. D. Kirkmire, William 
J. Shults, William Herbert, C. J. 
Mehlenbacher, George E. Wagner, 
John A. Hoyt, Grant Slayton, A. E. 
Shult3, Sebastian Adam, T. C 
Cherubim, L. F. Drake, H. H. Her- 
bert, George C. Rocker, Chas. P. 
Drake, E. L. D. Knapp, Henry C. 
Hart, C. W. Godfrey, Fred A. Wy- 
gant, Charles E. Crosby. 

The Presidents of the company 
have been: 

18S7-18S8, Andrew L. Shults. 
18S8-1892, Andrew E. Shults. 
189 3, George E. Wagner. 
1894-1897, Andrew L. Shults. 

18 98, Frank C. Krug. 

1899, M. Ernest Weld. 

1900, Jesse L. Edmond. 
1901-1904, John G. Pritting. 

19 05, Charles Kiefer, Jr. 
1905-1909, John G. Pritting. 
The Foremens have been: 

188 7, Charles Larrowe. 

1888, Geo. E. Wagner. 

1889, Fred A. Wygant. 
1890-1894, Walter Robinson. 
1895, Henry H. Herbert. 
189G, Frank P. Seeley. 

189 7, M. Ernest Weld. 
1898-1899, Elmer L. Sick. 
1900-1902, Eugene B. Slayton. 
1903-1905, Robert M. Stanton. 

THE HOSE COMPANY 

The Hose men, that is those who 
had chosen to belong to that com- 
pany met the first Tuesday in Decem- 
ber (4), 1886, in the rooms over the 
Jackson-Hoyt meat market and elect- 
ed the following officers: 

Orange S. Searl, President. 

Dr. I. L. Goff, Vice President. 

J. Leonard Waugh, Secretary. 

John Werth, Treasurer. 



James M. Reynolds, Foreman. 

Eugene E. Stetson, Assistant Fore- 
man. 

Chris. J Shafer, G. E. W. Herbert 
and E. E. Stetson, Trustees. 

The following were the charter 
members, together with the forego- 
ing officers: 

Nelson M. Tripp, John H. Lyon, 
Valentine Graser, Sherman Phillips, 
Frank M. LaRue, C. J. Flint, John 
Fronk, John H. Schneider, Jacob 
Stein, Jacob Strobel, Albert H. Weld, 
Henry Strobel, John Holtzmire. 

It was voted that he who would 
give the most to the company should 
have the naming of the company. 
E. E. Stetson paid $10 and named 
the company, the Cyrus H. Stone 
Hose Company. 

The first suits purchased were a 
maroon shirt, belt and blue pants 
and a blue cap. 

Until the building of the Engine 
House in 1895, when the quarters 
were moved to the second story of 
that building they occupied rooms 
ovr the Jackson meat market, 

Nelson Tripp has been foreman of 
the company since 1880. 

On November 16, 189 3, after the 
water works were put in, the com- 
pany voted to change its name and 
on vote the name "Independent 
Hose Company" was adopted. New 
suits consisting of navy blue coats, 
pants and caps and a fine banner 
were purchased. It was said to have 
been the finest company banner in 
parade at Buffalo in 1901, at the 
New York State Fireman's Associa- 
tion. Since then they have been in 
many parades. 

In 1894, the company joined the 
Steuben County Firemen's Associa- 
tion. In 1898, they joined the 
New York State Firemen's Associa- 
tion and sent C. O. Jenks as dele- 
gate. 



LIBERTY LODGE, F. & A. M., 
No. 510 

Liberty Lodge, No. 510, F. & A. 
M., was organized April 3, 18G1, by 
a dispensation received from the 
Grand Lodge of the State of New 
York, Finley M. King being Grand 
Master and James M. Austin, Grand 
Secretary. 

On June 15, 18 61, after the an- 
nual meeting of the Grand Lodge in 
New York, a charter was granted, 
the same officers signing it. 

The charter member'? and the 
date of their death were as follows: 

Albertus Larrowe, July 27, 1899. 

Stephen D. Shattuck, August 13, 
1901. 

John Kellogg, March 29, 1884. 

James Draper, December 28, 1875. 

Hiram Dewey, May 3, 1881. 

Asa Adams, January 11, 1895. 
Benjam.in Warner, December 1877. 

I give you the firt-t recorded meet- 
ing as it appears in the minutes: 

Cohocton, April 3, 1861. 

"Liberty Lodge, No. 510, F. & 
A. M., having been duly organized in 
accordance with the requirements 
of the Grand Lodge of the State of 
New York met for the transaction of 
business and opened in due form on 
the 3rd degree of Masonry, Brothers 
A. Larrowe, S. D. Shattuck and John 
Kellogg filling of W. M., S. W., and 
J. W., respectively. 

The following persons presented 
applications for initation: 

J. H. Butler, A. M. Spooner, F. N. 
Drake and William Washburn, 
which was recorded and the follow- 
ing committee on investigation ap- 
pointed. The same persons being 
appointed committees in each case: 
Brothers, John Kellogg, S. D. Shat- 
tuck and F. Larrowe. The lodge ad- 
journed in due form to April 5th". 

Let me here say that when Frank- 
lin Larrowe joined (yet it must have 
been by demit) but the minutes are 



58 



as blank. His was the first funeral 
the lodge as a body attended. 

The first officers of the lodge were: 

Albertus Larrowe, W. M. 

Stephen D. Shattuck, S. W. 

John Kellogg. J. W. 

James Draper, Treasurer. 

John H. Butler, Secretary. 

Franklin Larrowe, S. D. 

William Washburn, J. D. 

The Masters of Liberty Lodge 
have been: 

Albertus Larrowe, Stephen D. 
Shattuck, John Kellogg, Rev. N. N. 
Beers, Samuel Street, Jr., J. Dwight 
Hendryx, Clarence W. Stanton, Dr. 
Ira L. Goff, Edwin A. Draper, Clay- 
ton S. Scott, Charles Larrowe,, Al- 
bert H. Wilcox, Samuel D. Parmen- 
ter, M. Ernest Weld, Edwin S. 
Brown, L. Roy Partridge, C. Gilbert 
Lyon. 

The Treasurers and Secretaries of 
Liberty Lodge have been: 

1861, James Draper, Treasurer; 
John H. Butler, Secretary. 

1862, James Draper, Treasurer; 
John H. Butler, Secretary. 

1S63, David H. Wilcox, Treasurer; 
Thomas Warner, Secretary. 

18 64, Calvin E. Thorp, Treasurer; 
E. S. Carpenter, Secretary. 

1865, F. N. Drake, Treasurer; 
Calvin E. Thorp, Secretary. 

1866, E. S. Carpenter, Treasurer; 
Thomas Warner, Secretary. 

1867-1870, C. E. Thorp, Treasur- 
er; Chas. H. Beyer, Secretary. 

1871, B. W. Tambling, Treasurer; 
Chas. H. Beyer, Secretary. 

1872, C. E. Thorp, Treasurer; 
Frank M. Conley, Secretary. 

1873-1877, John Kellogg, Treas- 
urer; Thomas Warner, Secretary. 

1878, S. D. Shattuck, Treasurer? 
Thomas Warner, Secretary. 

1879, Monroe Harris, Treasurer; 
Thomas Warner, Secretary. 

1880-1884, S. D. Shattuck, 
Treasurer; Thos. Warner, Secretary. 



1885, S. D. Shattuck, Treasurer; 
J. Leonard Waugh, Secretary. 

1886-1887, Asa McDowell, Treas- 
urer; J. Leonard Waugh, Secretary. 

1888, Asa McDowell, Treasurer; 
Thomas Warner, Secretary. 

1889, A. McDowell, Treasurer; 
Thomas Warner, Secretary. 

1890, G. E. Wagner, Treasurer; 
Thomas Warner, Secretary. 

1891-1892, G. E. Wagner, Treas- 
urer; Charles Oliver, Secretary. 

1893, Asa McDowell, Treasurer; 
Charles Oliver, Secretary. 

1894-1908, Chas. Oliver, Treasur- 
er; J. Leonard Waugh, Secretary. 

19 09, Charles Oliver Treasurer; 
M. Ernest Weld, Secretary. 

1910-1912, Charles Oliver, Treas- 
urer; S. D. Parmenter, Secretary. 

1913, Charles Oliver, Treasurer; 
S. D. Parmenter, Secretary. 

Its membership January 1, 1912, 
was 102. 

From the granting of the charter 
to January 1, 1872, they had rooms 
in the "Beehive", now the Times-In- 
dex building. Then they moved to 
their fine quarters in the block then 
erected by Thomas Warner, corner of 
Maple Avenue and North Main street. 
O. E. S. 

Liberty Chapter, No. 394, Order of 
Eastern Star, was instituted October 
2, 1906. Its officers were: 

1906, Worthy Matron, Harriet C. 
Larrowe; Worthy Patron. E. S. 
Brown. 

1907, Harriet C. Larrowe, Worthy 
Matron; E. S. Brown, Worthy Pa- 
tron. 

1908, H. 
tron; H. P. 

1909, H. 
tron; H. P. 

1910, Ida E. Cuff, Worthy Matron; 
S. D. Parmenter, Worthy Patron. 

1911, Katherine E. Folts, Worthy 
Matron; S. D. Parmenter, Worthy 
Patron. 



May Weld, Worthy Ma- 
Wilcox, Worthy Patron, 
May Weld, Worthy Ma- 
Wilcox, Worthy Patron. 



59 



I. O. O. F. 

A dispensation was granted by 
the Grand Lodge I. O. O. F., of 
Northern New York to form a lodge 
at Cohocton, June 15, 1850, and in 
August of that year a lodge was 
formed known as Liberty Lodge, No. 
3 49, I. O. O. F., with the following 
charter members: 

C. J. McDowell, James A. Arnold, 
Nathaniel B. Chase, B. D. Henry, 
James Draper, Amos W. Chase. 

This was the first beneficial organi- 
zation in town, and many of the lead- 
ing men belonged to the society. 

C. J. McDowell was the first Noble 
Grand and Asa Adams the first Vice 
Grand. 

Among its members were: Frank- 
lin Day, W. A. Field, Ward S. Hoag- 
land, .^ustin Hall, Eleas L. Hoadley, 
Dr. W. T. Stillwell, D. H. Wilcox. 
E. S. Carpenter, Darwin Kimball, 
Frederick Henry, Wm. B. Hall, Har- 
vey Dewey, Albertus Larrowe, Geo. 
W. Hoagland, Philo T. Higgins, 
Minor T Conley, W. R. Hill, A. G 
McDowell, Calvin E. Thorp, John 
Larrowe. John Kellogg, Franklin 
Larrowe. Geo"ge W. Haight, Stephen 
C. Phillips, Chas. E. Hall. 

The meetings were held over the 
store known as the "Beehive", now 
Times-Index building. The lodge 
held weekly meetings and was well 
attended and it flourished for some 
years, but for some reason, now not 
known, the interest began to de- 
cline and members failed to attend 
and before the lodge had reached its 
first decade the few remaining mem- 
bers decided to close up and did so, 
selling the carpets, furniture, etc. 
None of these so far as known can 
be found except the dispensation, 
initiation book and bible. The dis- 
pensation was in possession of 
Lindsley Adams, son of Asa Adams 
at Atlanta, a former member of 
Liberty Lodge. The initiation book 



was in possession of M. A. McDowell, 
son of C. J. McDowell, a former 
member of Liberty Lodge. The bible 
was in possession of W. A. Field, 
being bought by him when the lodge 
closed. All of these are now in pos- 
session of Nebula Lodge, having been 
presented to them, and all are highly 
prized by the members of that lodge. 

Nebula Lodge, No. 7G6, I. O. O. F., 
was organized and a dispensation 
granted November 17, 189 6, by t-ie 
following: 

Valentine Graser, Frank V 
Folts, M. E. Weld, Fred W. Snyder 
J. L. Edmond, E. B. Slayton, Samuel 
J. Depew, Webster Edmunds, who 
withdrew from Kanawha lodge of 
Atlanta, and Christian Miller ana 
George Lake, who came from Way- 
land lodge. 

The new lodge was instituted on 
January 6, 1897, in Masonic Hall by 
District Deputy Grand Master Har- 
vey S. Pettibone of Ilcrnell. The 
following members in addition to 
those already given are: 

Elmer E. Ackley, John Adair, 
George D. Slayton, Frank B. Peck, 
Edwin S. Brown, Morris D. Hill, Wm. 
E. Adair, Smith H. Hill, Vv^illiam S. 
VanKeuren, Frank E. Carnes, Murry 
Tripp, C. W. Stanton, Henry Fincli, 
J. Merton Sprague. 

The first officers were: E. B. Slay- 
ton, N. G.; J. L. Edmond, V. G.; 
S. J. Depew, Secretary; F. W. 
Snyder, Treasurer. 

The Noble Grands have been: 
(Elected every six months) 

1897, E. B. Slayton, J. L. Ed- 
mond. 

189 8, V. Graser, Christian Miller. 

1899, M. E. Weld, Samuel J 
Depew. 

1900, Jacob Strobel. H. W. Noble. 

1901, Frank V. Folts, Lyman J. 
Ward. 

1902, William S. VanKeuren, Wm. 
D. Folts. 



60 



1903, 
Fritting. 

1904, 
Strobel. 

1905, 

Up to 



Murray Tripp, John G. 



Christian Miller, Jacob 



D. L. Edmond. 
January 1903 they had 
rooms in the Masonic Hall. Since 
then they have had rooms in the 
Barthelme Block. 

I. O. O. F. AT ATLANTA 

Kanawha Lodge, No. 566, I. O. 
O. F. of Bloods, now Atlanta, the 
dispensation was granted January 
27, 1890, to five members: J. B. 
Young, John Jacqua, Jacob Butter- 
fus, W. T. Slattery, Edwin H. 
Boulan. The lodge was organized at 
Mountain View Hotel (since burned) 
and instituted at Wilson Hall, North 
Cohocton, February 7, 1890 with: 

John Jacqua, N. G. 

Jacob Butterfus, V. G. 

W. T. Slattery, Treasurer. 

J. E. Young, Secretary, who re- 
signed February 28, 1890, and F. B. 
Beecher was elected. 

A copy of the constitution. By-laws 
drafted and a Code of Procedure 
adopted and printed. 

Later the lodge leased the Hodg- 
man Hall at Atlanta, which after oc- 
cupying several years moved to the 
Borden Block, where the lodge is 
now held. 

The Noble Grands have been: 

John Jaqua, W. T. Slattery, Farj 
B. Beecher, L. R. Partridge, C. M. 
Tyler, Willis E. Waite. Darwin 
Marsh, A. T. Hoxter, S. M. Parks. 
D. C. Boone, Rufus Clement, G. C. 
Wolfanger, C. E. Boone, Albert L. 
Corey, Jacob Wolfanger, John C. 
Spencer, James E. Jones, E. W. Rob- 
inson, W. L. Rowe, Monroe Clayson, 
Frank D. VanWormer, Luther A. 
Beecher, Frank B. Curtis, W. T. Cor- 
nish, Ross H. Swartz, Harvey Steph- 
enson, Merton Stephenson, B. Swartz, 
G. T. Kester, Fred D. Crouch. 

1905, Frank Mitchell, L. Rome 



Clayson, E. S. Briggs. 

1906, W. H. Corey, Aaron Wright. 

1907, Arthur Tyler, Theodore 
Warner. 

1908, Charles Honan, C. A. Stan- 
ton. 

1909, C. A. Stanton, Kirk M. War- 
ner. 

1910, John Richardson, William 
T. Miller. 

1911, Frank R. Saunders,. Floyd 
E. Adair. 

1912, Charles H. Corey. 
REBEKAH LODGE 

Riverside Rebekah Degree Lodge, 
No. 139, was instituted at Atlanta, 
N. ¥., February 19, 1892, and con- 
tinued until February 9, 1900 when 
the charter was surrendered to the 
Grand Lodge. 

Two surviving members of old 
Riverside Lodge, Past Noble Grand, 
Addie M. Tyler and Nettie Hoxter, 
with their husbands, Carnot M. 
Tyler and Allen T. Hoxter, with six 
other citizens of Atlanta, viz: G. T. 
Kester, Annie O. Kester, Marcus 
Wright, Minerva Wright, Aaron 
Wright and Jennie Wright, who 
went to Bath and joined the Bath 
Lodge for the purpose of applying 
for a charter for a lodge of Atlanta, 
applied for a charter of Atlanta 
Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 204, in 
1903. 

The charter was granted by the 
Grand Lodge, December 7, 1903, and 
delivered to the officers of Atlanta 
Lodge, No. 204, on the night of the 
institution of the lodge, January 11, 
1904, by District Deputy President 
Mrs. Flora Jones of Hornell, who in- 
stituted the lodge and installed the 
officers with the assistance of the Re- 
bekah Degree team of Bath lodge, 
starting the lodge with ten members, 
who applied for a charter and thir- 
ty-four new members who were 
initiated on the night of the installa- 
tion of the lodge, making a total 



61 



membership of 44. 

The lodge has initiated and taken 
in 13 members (to 1905) and has a 
membership of 57. 

The lodge is out of debt, having 
money in the treasury, fine regalia, 
and is in a flourishing condition. 

Meetings are held the second and 
fourth Wednesdays of each month in 
Odd Fellows' Hall in the Borden 
Block. 

The first officers were: Addie M. 
Tyler, N. G., 1905. 

Nettie Hoxter, V. G. 

ALHAMBRA TENT 

Alhambra Tent, Knights of the 
Maccabees of Cohocton, was organiz- 
ed August 14, 1902, by Deputy Com- 
missioner J. V. Hess of Rochester. 
At the first review eighteen appli- 
cations were handed in for member- 
ship. 

The following were the charter 
members: 

Christian Miller, John G. Fritting, 
Fritz J. Land, William G. Zimmer, 
S. H. Green, Chas. P. O'Brien, M. R. 
Ackley, George P. Mehlenbacher, 
Peter Strobel, Fipp Hunt, Fred Zim- 
mer, William C. Zimmer George D. 
Slayton, Charles Bucksthaler, Wil- 
liam Sauerbier, Edward Sauerbier, 
Adam Drum, Adelmer Wagner. 

Its first officers were: 

P. C, George Mehlenbacher. 

Lieut. Com., S. H. Green. 

Com., Christian Miller. 

Record Keeper, F. T. Stein. 

It has grown and increased in 
membership. 

C. M. B. A. 

The Catholic Mutual Benefit As- 
sociation, Cohocton Branch, was or- 
ganized May 4, 1887, with the fol- 
lowing officers: 

Charles Kiefer, President. 

Sebastian Adam, Vice President. 

A. E. Shults, Recording Secretary. 

Peter Gehrig, Financial Secretary. 

Benjamin Rocker, Marshall. 



John Golden, Assistant Financial 
Secretary. 

John Dorenbecker, Guard. 

The first Board of Trustees were: 

M. Wager, Chas. Kiefer, Jacob 
Weiand, Charles Schiefen, Jacob 
Kurtz, and Philip Gehrig. 

In 1905, it had thirty members. 
COHOCTON GRANGE 

Through the efforts of Jacob 
Strobel Cohocton Grange, No. 974, 
Patrons of Husbandry, was organized 
March 21, 1903, by A. S. Soper of 
Rathbone, with eighteen charter 
members. 

KNOW NOTHING 
AMERICANS 

There was a political organization 
whose last political nomination was 
made in 1856, then called American, 
but whose real principle was that of 
the old Know Nothing Party — "Put 
None but Americans on Guard." 

Cohocton had such an organiza- 
tion. The moving spirlto of which 
are said to have been: 

Albertus Larrowe, Dr. Hagadorn, 
Valentine VanWormer, and Austin 
Hall. 

This organization had at one time 
unprecedented popularity but went 
down in the campaign of 1854, on 
Governor of this state, and its coun- 
sels shattered to the four-winds of 
Heaven and there remains, neither 
track, trace and hardly a remem- 
brance of this once imposing or- 
ganization. 

They met over the Adair shop 
(now 1912) on North Main street. 

A few days before the election in 
1854, a District Deputy by the name 
of Underbill, predicted the election 
of Daniel Ulman as Governor, giving 
the exact majority of his election and 
said every man of this organization 
was expected to vote the American 
ticket, pure and simple. There were 
a number at the meeting infused 
with strong temperance principles 



62 



and proposed to vote for Myron H. 
Clark. 

John Kellogg in a general discus- 
sion which followed, said he should 
vote for Clark and immediately left 
the room followed by a large number 
of those present. A general break- 
up followed. Clark received the 
election, and the Know Nothing 
Party in Cohocton ended then and 
there. 

SCHOOLS 

On the first survey of school 
districts, the commencement was 
made at the North town line and so 
on down through the town and in- 
cluded seven districts. Eight, nine 
and ten included the western portion 
of the town. Before the division of 
the town and taking off of Wayland 
and part of Avoca, there were at one 
time twenty-five districts in town. At 
time of a report in 183 9 there were 
fourteen wholly in the town and 
seven joint districts. There are now 
twelve in town and two joint dis- 
tricts. 

The first school taught in town 
was taught by Sophia Turnbull in a 
log dwelling built by Jonas Cleland, 
and the second was undoubtedy the 
one taught by Duty Wate in 1814, in 
the North end of the town not far 
from the D. S. Waite homestead. 

The first school house was a log 
school house built on the Deusen- 
bery-Stanton farm near Avoca line. 
In 1810, it stood on the bank near 
Avoca-Cohocton's present town line. 
I will take the districts as they 
are divided and give a brief history. 

In the early days a log school 
house in District No. 1, stood on tlie 
Wallace farm about one-half mile 
west of the present school house. 
Then there was a frame one built on 
the present site. The present one 
was built about 1885. 

The earliest school house which I 
have any information was on the 



land where Godfrey Marshall's stone 
house stands in District No. 2. 
Later the present one was built and 
stands east of the old site. 

In District No 3, Atlanta-North Co- 
hocton. There is a statement given 
that there was a log school house 
built in an early day on or near the 
present site of the Cottrell 
Block. After a few years it was de- 
serted and a frame school house 
built on the Waite Shepherd cor- 
ner near the river bridge. This must 
have been built as early as 1812. 
Here were held the earlier services 
of the M. E. church down to the dedi- 
cation of church building in 1847. 
The next school house stood on the 
Wetmore-Wixom property, just north 
of the present M. E. church. In 1874, 
the foundation was laid on the pres- 
ent site of the building. 

Among the early teachers of the 
school were: 

Partridge, John Waite, Krug Cole, 
Plarmon Maconi, Levi Thrall, Dwight 
Skeels, Lewis Polmateer, perhaps not 
in order. 

Since that time and the opening of 
the Union School in 1874, the follow- 
ing have been employed: 

George D. Atwood 1874-1876. 

I. M. Boothe 1876-187S. 

H. W. English 1878-1879. 

A. B. Davis 1879-1880. 

T. S. Barto only a few weeks. 

F. B. Beecher 1880-1881. 

T A. Caswell 1881-1883 

R. E. Salisbury 1883-1889. 

M. E. Plough 1889-1897. 

A. H. Watkins 1897-1898. 

A. O. Tucker 1898-1903. 

W. W. Bullock 1903-1905. 

O. E. Page 1905. 

Earlier in the history I have 
spoken of the first school taught in 
District No. 4, by Duty Waite, open 
in 1814. By contract says D. S. 
Waite in his history, "Duty Waite 
agreed to teach the school for $12 



63 



per month. The maximum number of 
scholars was sixteen. Those sending 
were: Duty Waite, two; Abel Far- 
mington, three; Thomas Rogers, 
three; Benjamin Rogers, one; 
A. Woodard, two; William Woodard, 
one; Daniel Raymond, Sr., one; 
Daniel Raymond, Jr., two; Cornelius 
Crouch, one; Chauncey Atwell, one. 
The present school house was built 
in 1870. 

At an early day Cohocton was call- 
ed the Four Corners. Then about 
182 6, we took the name of Liberty, 
probably owing to the establishement 
of the postofRce which would mean 
1826. At the time the postoffice 
was called Cohocton. The Erie sta- 
tion. Liberty, until the coming of the 
D. L. & W. in 1881, when by petition 
the Erie changed and all became Co- 
hocton. 

Built in 1820 for a school house, 
which was taken down a few years 
ago, but was part of the blacksmith 
shop that stood in front of the ceme- 
tery. In that building as District No. 
5, J. H. Hewitt, D. L. VanWormer 
and others handled the birch and 
there taught the alphabet dispen- 
sary. 

There they held sway until 1869, 
when a square frame building, two 
stories high, was built on the present 
site. That and some other buildings 
were built by contract. They evi- 
dently were not securely fastened, 
by the way, they shook in hard 
winds 

I find such names as: Prof. Skeel 
one term; Z. L. Parker one year; 
G. E. Ackerman two years; W. A. 
Dawson here at two different times; 
C. R. Buck three years; A. O. Tuck- 
er; E. A. Higgins and W.H. Johnson. 
Also the record of one who stayed 
three days and left to the gratifica- 
tion of the scholars. 

The building was burned in 
February, 1889. Rooms were provid- 



ed for the remainder of the year. In 
the meantime the present brick 
building was erected and ready for 
the fall term. 

In 1880, the school became a Union 
Graded School and the following 
have been the principals: 

Thomas F. Pangham 1879-1882. 

Clayton S. Scott 1882-1885. 

Hiram C. Horton 1885-1887. 

Ralph A. Stewart 1887-1889. 

George H. Guinnip 1889-1904. 

Robert L. Weaver 1904-1905. 

George H. Guinnip 1905-1908. 

Clarence C. Rogers 1908-1910. 

Earle E. Champ 1910. 

I know of no earlier building in 
District No. 6 than the present one. 
It was there in 1814, at the coming 
that part of the town from Pratts- 
burg. 

The first school house in District 
No. 7, was the log school house on 
the Stanton-Deusenbery farm spoken 
of above. There was afterwards a 
frame building built east of the 
river near the Dunn place in 1868. 
Later it was moved to its present 
site. 

The first building as a school 
house in District No. 8, stood on the 
opposite side of the road near where 
St. Paul's Lutheran church now 
stands. The present building was 
built in the early sixties. 

District No. 9, school house has al- 
ways stood near where it now stands, 
south of the M. H. Wilcox farm. 

In District No. 10, the earlier 
building stood below the road about 
15 rods east of the present one. 

There was once a building used as 
a school house in an early day, stood 
on the L. M. Jones farm west of the 
old house but later moved on Brown 
Hill, and is now District No 11. 

We have spoken of a school house 
that stood near the Mattice woods 
on Lent Hill. This was evidently 
the first school building in District 



64 



No. 12. The second was bulit on a 
lot nearly opposite the present one, 
which was built in the eighties. One 
of the first teachers was Susan Henry 
who became the wife of James 
Draper and the first President of the 
Ladies' Aid of the M. E. church. 
POSTOPFICES 

The postoffice was established 
about 1826, and as far as I have been 
able to learn the first three occupants 
were: 

Paul C. Cook, Daniel H. Davis, 
Henry Blood. 

Walter M. Eldred 1850-1861. 

James Draper 1861-1866. 

Walter M. Eldred 1866-1869. 

Myron W. Harris 1869-1885. 

Stephen D. Shattuck 1885-1889. 

Andrew J. Hyland 1889-189 6. 

James McLean 189 6-February 
1900. 

Henry P. Wilcox February 19 00- 
1914. 

Fred J. Land 1914. 

The North Cohocton postoffice was 
established in 1828, with Elijah 
Hartwell as its first occupant. 

The other postmasters were: 

Jesse McTingg. 

Samuel Conn. 

James Nichoson 1845-1849. 

W. A. Gilbert 1849-1852. 

Asa Adams 1852-1871, 

A. G. Jackman 1871-1876. 

E. S. Carpenter 1876-1882. 

F. A. Wetmore 18 82-18 85. 
John A. Partridge 1885-1890. 
J. Riley Wetmore 1890-1894. 
George Last 1894-1898. 

E. S. Carpenter 1898-1901. 

D. D. Cottrell 1901. 

The Atlanta office was established 
in 1876, with Asa Adams then in the 
postoffice at North Cohocton as its 
first occupant. He continued until 
IS 76. The other postmasters were: 

J. Dwight Hendricks 1876-1885. 

George W. Marts 1885-1889. 

William T. Cornish 1889-1894. 



William T. Slattery 1894-1897. 

William T. Cornish 1897-till his 
death, June 1903. 

Rufus Clement June 1903. 
W. C. T. U. 

A great organization of women 
known as the Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union composed of lo- 
cal societies, and in 1884, a society 
was organized at Cohocton by Miss 
Hazardette. 

The secretary's report shows that 
thirty women were in attendance and 
the follov/ing officers elected: 

Mrs. I. G. Saxton, President. 

Mrs. T. R. Harris, Mrs. E. G. W. 
Hall, Vice Presidents. 

Mrs. Charles Larrowe, Correspond- 
ing Secretary. 

Mrs. Amanda E. Perry, Recording 
Secrotary. 

Mrs. E. A. Draper, Treasurer. 

The object of the organization is 
to place and carry forward measures 
which, with the blessing of God, will 
result in the suppression of intem- 
perance in our midst. 

The membership consists in sign- 
ing the pledge, Constitution and by 
the payment of 50 cents per year. 

The badge is a knot of white rib- 
bon and the motto, "For God, Home 
and Native Land". 

The charter members were: 

Mrs. H. Lyon, Mrs. Thomas War- 
ner, Mrs. E. M. Edmunds, Mrs. I. L. 
Goff, Mrs A. Goss, Mrs. E. W. Harris, 
Mrs. Charles Larrowe, Mrs. S. D. 
Shattuck, Mrs. George Wraight, Mrs. 
T. R. Harris, Mrs. Cole Beach, Mrs. 
Julia Streety, Mrs. I. G. Saxton, Mrs. 
N. P. Roberts, Mrs. H. M. Runyan, 
Mrs. R. Fleyellyn, Mrs. E. G. W. 
Hall, Mrs. P. M. Conlcy, Miss Louisa 
McDowell, Mrs. M. Leahy, Miss Ida 
Higgins, Miss Harriet Wilcox, Miss 
A. E. Perry, Mrs. M. H. Morgan, Mrs. 
James Moulton, Mrs. Peter Vanda, 
Mrs. N. C. White, Mrs. A. Larrowe, 
Mrs. Dr. T. B. Fowler, Mrs. John 



65 



Waugh, Mrs. Benjamin Horr. 

Meetings were held once in two 
weeks, consisting of devotional and 
library exercises with a short time 
for business. 

The following have served as 
Presidents: 

Mrs. I. G. Saxton, Mrs. Thomas 
Warner, Mrs David Lyon, Mrs. C. S. 
Scott, Mrs. H. B. Mason, Mrs. S. F. 
vVoodworth, Mrs. B. S. Healy, Mrs. 
F. M. Conley, Mrs. Celia (John) 
Miller, Mrs. Mabel Moulton, Mrs. 
F. S. Swan, Mrs. A. H. Jenks, Mrs. 
R. D. Waite. 

sates have been sent to Coun- 
ty and State conventions. State and 
National dues have been paid. The 
County convention has been enter- 
tained. Noted speakers have given 
free lectures to large audiences. 
Ernest work has been done for no 
license. Many signers of the pledge 
have been obtained. Many Sunday 
School and day scholars have their 
names on the roll of honor. Much 
charitable and educational work 
has been accomplished. Later 

-ears the work has been divided into 

""erent departments, each depart- 
ment having a Superintendent. T^e 
p-ctivG and silent work has been an 
uplift for the community. 

W. C. T. U. OF LENT HILL 

The W. C. T. U. of Lent Hill was 
organized by the North Cohocton 
Union November 6, 1901, with the 

: lowing officers: 

Mrs. Jennie Wheaton, President. 

Mrs. Louisa Caward, Vice Presi- 
dent. 

Mrs. Zema Wheaton, Secretary. 

Mrs. Lottie Jackson, Treasurer. 

The Treasurer and Secretary soon 
resigned and Mrs. Louise Caward 
was elected Secretary and Mrs. Helen 
Edmond, Treasurer. 

Three officers joined at the first 
meeting. These officers held down 
to 1906. 



W. C. T. U. AT NORTH COHOCTON 
AND ATLANTA 

This Society was organized on 
August 10, 18S8, with the following 
charter members: 

Mrs. Cynthia Corey, Mrs. Celestia 
B. (H. W. Hatch), Mrs. Ursula Moul- 
ton, Mrs. Mary A. (J. S.) VanDoren, 
Mrs. Ida (W. L.) VanDoren, Mrs. 
Malissa Thomas, Mrs. Nellie Spauld- 
ing, Mrs. Hattie Spaulding, Mrs. 
Hannah Moulton, Mrs. S. Watkins, 
Mrs. H. C. Pierce, Mrs. Frank Wet- 
more, Mrs. Martha Stanton, Mrs. 

A. L. Gilbert, Mrs. Zellah Borden, 
Mrs. Helen Marsh, Mrs. Belle Shat- 
tuck, Mrs. Mary Gardner, Mrs. Retta 
Finch, Mrs. Mary Arnold, Mrs. 
Esther Fish, Mrs. Alice Baker, Mrs. 

B. A. Tyler, Mrs. Helen Bellis, Mrs. 
Rufus Waite, Mrs. Fanny Sheperd. 

The first officers were: 

Celestia B. Hatch, President; Mrs. 
Emily J. Gilbert, Corresponding 
Secretary; Mrs. Mary L. Wetmore, 
Recording Secretary; Mrs. Ursula 
Moulton, Treasurer. 

The following have been the Presi- 
dents: 

Mrs. Celestia B. Hatch 1888-1891. 

Mrs. Alice Baker 1891-1895. 

Mrs. Isadore Nye 1895-189 8. 

Mrs. Emily J. Gilbert 1898-1900 
CIVIL WAR, 1861-1865 

The following enlisted to serve in 
the Civil War 1861-65 from Cohoc- 
ton. The figures after the names in- 
dicate age at enlistment. 

Parley Abbott, 18; John Adair, 
34; Robert Allen, 38; Edward C. 
Avery, 24; John A. Avery, 19; Aus- 
tin H. Bacon, 21; Gilbert T. Avery, 
34; William Bailey, 26; William 
Bartholomew 25; Orlando Barber, 
20; Norton Beckwith, 24; Charles 
H. Berger, 33; Gregory Blackrick, 
18; George Blackrick, 18; James H. 
Blood, 27; Wm. M. Booth, 25; Eze- 
kiel Brown, 25; Fernando C. Brown, 
21; Gaylord Brown, 24; Calvin 



66 



Burlingham; John Wesley Bush, 21; 
Rufus J. Bush, 34; John H. Camp- 
bell, 20; William Y. Garner, 21; 
Frank Carpenter, 18; Simeon O. Car- 
penter, 17; Delos D. Clark, 
37; Monroe Clayson, 21; Henry Clay- 
son, 18; W. Henry Chapman, 19; 
Luther Cleland, 23; Ardin Cobin, 21; 
Nathaniel B. Cobin, 26; Nelson Co- 
bin, 21; Samuel L. Cole, 42; Chris- 
tian Conrad, 37; Albert L. Corey, 21; 
James Cornish, 20; William Cragg, 
23; Harvey B. Cramer, 18; James N. 
Crawford, 32;, J. J. Crouch; George 
Cunningham, 29; George H. Ben- 
nett. 

Aetna M. Davis, 29; Leman H. 
Day, 42; Horace Dean, 22; Nelson 
H. Demorest, 17; Edwin A. Draper, 
25; Frank M. Draper, 21; Daniel B. 
Dunn, 19. 

Jacob Eckerman, 18; Frederick 
Edmond, 21; John F. Edmond; 
Luther B. Eldred, 24; Albert Em- 
hart; Franklin Eply, 21; John H. 
Farley; Luther J. Ferris, 21; Ed- 
ward J. Finch, 18; Charles B. Finks; 
Slittman S. Fisher, 28; Nicholas 
Folts, 31; Holister Foster, 25; 
William Francis; Willard C. French, 
33; Joseph Fronk, 43. 

Jacob Garger, 21; James Geer, 44; 
Wiilam H. GGeer, 22; John Gill, 36; 
George Glover, 30; Jacob Green, 22; 
William Graves; John Graves, 20; 
Charles Grieves, 21; Charles C. 
Gross; Rudolph R. Grover, 23; 
Robert C. Guernsey, 45; Charles B. 
Hall, 31; Edgar S. Haight, 18; Wil- 
liam H. Hammond; James Harris, 
38; Theodore R. Harris; Rodney 
E. Harris; Leonard Harter, 38; 
Aaron Hartwell, 24; Charles H. 
Hattas; David J. Huganir, 41; Ben- 
jamin F. Herrick; James C. Hewitt, 
22; Charles M. Hewitt, 19; Julias 
Hewitt, 21; Dewitt Hill, 23; Benja- 
min F. Hill, 21; Peter Hoffman, 35; 
William W. Hoagland, 26; Benjamin 
Horr, 22; Isaac Hurlburt, 36; Jacob 

67 



Hultz; Philip Hunt, 18; Andrew J. 
Hyland, 21; Samuel Jaqua, 44; 
James D. Jenks, 40; Joseph Jenks, 
37; Franklin Jones, 18; Oscar John- 
son, 22; Charles M. Johnson. 

David S. Katner, 44; Murry 
Kellogg, 19; Luther M. Kimbell, 23; 
Elbert E. Kimbell, 21; Myron Knapp, 
32; John Knodle, Sr., 44; John 
Knodle, Jr., 18. 

Charles M. Leggett, 23; Jonah B. 
Lyon, 40; Wesley Martin, 23; Da- 
vid H. Mattice, 28; Theodore H. 
Mattice, 19; William H. McDowell, 
23; James McClarrie, 19; William 
McClarrie, 44; Lewis Mehlenbacher, 
23; William Miles, 28; Chester 
Moore; Robert S. Moore, 27; Ira 
H. Morehouse, 32; James H. Moul- 
ton, 18; George Morrison, 20; 
Charles. Nickson, 18; Samuel Nara- 
cong, Jr., 29; Solomon Noble, 23; 
Samuel Nostrand, 41. 

Myron J. Parks; Silsbee Peck, 20; 
Stephen J. Partridge; Elmer Peter- 
son, 23; Orrin J. Peterson, 19; 
Thaddeus W. Petrie, 23; Charles M. 
Pierce, 29; John Pierce, 24; Silas N. 
Pierce, 22; Jerry A. Polmanteer, 18. 

Amza C. Raymond, 19; George 
Randolph, IS; John S. Randolph, 22; 
William Randolph, 18; George H. 
Reeves, 22; Vincent L. Reynolds, 20; 
William H. Rex, 19; Joseph T. Rec- 
tor, 18; Andrew Rexsicker, 25; 
Nicholas Rexsicker, Jr., 18; Nicholas 
Rexsicker, Sr., 43; Robert W. Riddle, 
25; Lorenzo Roberts, 29; Elias 
Riker, 40; Hiram Roberts, 27; John 
Rhine, 22; George Rocker; Christian 
Rowe, 38; Lemuel Roe. 

Bolster Sauerbier, 20; Royal Saw- 
yer; L. Brace Shattuck, 27; Andrew 
Shults; Philip Sick, 21; Roswell 
Slayton; Walter C. Slayton, 17; 
Duane or Daniel Smith, 21; Hugh 
Smith, 35; John Snyder, 19; Henry 
Spike, 44; James H. Spike, 25; Perry 
Spike, 21; Oliver P. Spike, 19; 
Thaddeus Spike, 25; Clarence W. 



Stanton, 15; Horace Stoddard, 37; 
Elijah Stanton, 31; Stephen T. Stan- 
ton, 20; William H. St. John; Cyrus 
H. Stone, 33; Jacob Stein, 23; 
Reuben E. Stetson, 30; Lysis Stov/, 
32. 

Benjamin W. Tambling, 36; John 
W. Terry, 23; George H. Tompkins; 
William H. Tompkins, 24; James H. 
Totten, 19; Chester Townsend, 34; 
Sidney R. Tripp, 19; Milan J. Tyler, 
23. 

John Van xUten, 21; Fayette M. 
VanWormer, 20; George VanKleck, 
22; Morris VanRiper, IS; Henry 
Velder or Felder, 44; Benjamin F. 
Waite, IS; Jonn Wager, 43; Jacob 
Wagner, 19; Nicholas J. Wagner, 21; 
John Walder, 24; Clinton 

Walling; Samuel A. Walling, 30; 
John Warring, 39; William Wash- 
burn, 39; Caleb M. Weaver, 34; Ly- 
man Webster, 35; William B. Web- 
ster, 30; James Welch; Kimball 
Wellington, 31; Ephriam V. Wemple, 
Edwin H. Wetmore, 18; Alvin S. 
Wheaton, 22; George Wheaton, 21; 
Herbert M. Wheaton, 18; Wesley 
Wheeler; Haskell Williamson, 17; 
Carlos H. Wilcox, 21; George W. 
Williamson, IS; Edwin F. Watkins, 
18; Charles Wilson; Jerry Wilson; 
Rudolphus Wise, 18; Benj. Wise, 3G; 
Fred Wittig, 18; Hiram T.Wood, 26; 
Reuben W. Wood, 21; Andrew J. 
Wood, 23; James Wood; Henry P. 
Woodworth, 23; Joseph Young, 28; 
William Ziegenfuss, 19. 
G. A. R. 

R. E. HARRIS POST, NO. 240, 
This Post was organized in October 
1881, with eighteen charter mem- 
bers, as follows: 

Cyrus H. Stone, Clarence W. 
Stanton, Hiram T. Wood, Ira L. Goff, 
Charles H. Beyer, Charles E. Hall, 
Samuel H. Leavitt, Jacob Stein, Os- 
car Johnson, Burr Edmond, Theo- 
dore R. Harris, B. W. Tambling, 
Jacob Wagner, Lewis Mehlenbacher, 



Philip Zimmer, John Snyder, Her- 
man C. Cole, Shepard Rowell. 

Clarence W. Stanton was elected 
the first commander and served dur- 
ing the years of 1881-1882. He has 
been followed as given: 

1883, Ira L. Goff. 

1884-1885, Cyrus H. Stone. 

18S6-1896, Nicholas J. Wagner. 

1SD7, Ephriam V. Wemple. 

1S9S-1902, Nicholas J. Wagner. 

1903, Edwin A. Draper. 

1904-1909, Nicholas J. Wagner. 

The Post in 1895, was composed 
of seventy-one members. 

This Post was named after Rodney 
E. Harris, who enlisted and muster- 
ed into Company A., i 
Regiment, N. Y. Volunteers, August 
13, 1862, under the command of 
Colonel R. V. VanWalkenburg. He 
was in the following battles: 

Antietan, Chancellorville, Atlanta, 
Beutonville, and others, and was 
honorably discharged at Washington, 
D. C, June 5, 1865. He died at Na- 
ples, April 21, 1877. 

At the formation of the C. M. 
Pierce Post at North Cohocton our 
membership was reduced so that by 
death and those members joining 
that Post, that in 1905, we had only 
twenty-six members. 

Since the charter was obtained the 
follov/ing charter members have 
died: 

Cyrus H. Stone, Hiram T. Wood, 
Charles H. Beyer, Samuel H. Leavitt, 
Oscar Johnson, Theodore R. Harris, 
Herman C. Cole, Charles E. Hall, 
Benjamin W. Tambling. 
THE WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS 

The Rodney E. Harris Woman's 
Relief Corps, No. 105, was organized 
October 31, 1887, by Mrs. Ada Sher- 
wood and Mrs. Leatha Seeley of 
Hornellsville Corp, No. 39, with the 
following charter members: 

Mrs. Henrietta Goff, President. 

Mrs. Rose Wittig, Senior Vice 



68 



President; Mrs. Mary Werth, Junior 
Vice President; Mrs. Ida Wertli, 
Secretary. 

Mrs. Ida Shafer, Treasurer. 

Mrs. Caroline Wagner, Chaplain. 

Mrs. Esther Reynolds, Conductor. 

Mrs. Malinda Wagner, Guard. 

Miss Anna Wagner, Assistant Con- 
ductor. 

Mrs. Wealthy Stone, Assistant 
Guard. 

Prom that time to the present, 
Mrs. Rose Wittig has held the office 
as President, followed by Mrs. 
Fannie Wilcox, Mrs. Harriet John- 
son, Mrs. Mary Chapman. 

C. M. PIERCE POST, NO. 640, 
G. A. R., ATLANTA AND 

NORTH COHOCTON 

This Post was chartered April 14, 
1902, at North Cohocton. Many of 
its members had been already mem- 
bers of other Posts. 

The names of the charter members 
were: 

George W. Gifford, Commander. 

J. W. Wiley, Senior Vice Com. 

Monroe Clayson, Junior Vice Com. 

S. J. Merrill, Chaplain. 

Albert L. Corey, Adjutant. 

Charles H. Donley, Officer of the 
Day. 

Stephen T. Stanton, Officer of the 
Guard. 

George Wheaton, Quartermaster. 

D. H. Robbins, Sergeant Major. 
Harrison Agard, Surgeon. 
Rudolph Grover, Guard. 

J. Wesley Bush, Color Bearer. 

The other charter members were: | 

Henry Wightman, Thaddeus Spike, \ 

Delos L. Avery, A. C. Owen, Martin I 

Tenney, Byron Hayes, David Har- I 

rington, E. D. Armstrong, William ' 



Mattison, Solomon Noble, Edwin J. 
Finch, Hiram Lyon, Royal Sawyer, 
William Terry, Leroy Demorest. 

Since the organization of the Post, 
1902, Albert L. Corey, Solomon 
Noble, Charles H. Donley, Stephen T. 
Stanton, Geo. Wheaton (have died). 
Charles H. Donley were the other 
Commanders of the Post. 

WILLIIAM H. HAMMOND CIRCLE 
NORTH COHOCTON 

Through the instrmentality of 
George W. Gifford and W. H. Ham- 
mond, Circle No. 45, Ladies of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, was 
organized at North Cohocton, July 
1, 1905. It was instituted by Mrs. 
Adeline L. Titus of Penn Yan, De- 
partment President. 

The following were its first offi- 
cers: 

Delia H. Wells, President. 

Mary M. Hammond, Senior Vice 
President. 

Margaret C. Hayes, Junior Vice 
President. 

Mary E. Gifford, Chaplain. 

Belle Shattuck, Secretary. 

Rachel Sawyer, Conductor. 

Mary Bennett, Assistant Conduc- 
tor. 

Sarah Wightman, Treasurer. 

Celia W. Rex, Assistant Treas. 

Julia Deming, Guard. 

Avilla Shaffer, Assistant Guard. 

Mrs. S. Parks, Color Guard. 

Mrs. I. N. Baker, Assistant Color 
Guard. 

The other charter members in 
1905, were: L. D. Clark, Laurentia 
Carpenter, Emily Owen, Ella Stan- 
ton, Helen Haynes, Kate Briggs, Ida 
Clark, Mrs. D. Harrington. 




69 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



006 811 054 3 $ 



